PHILOSOPHY 105 (STOLZE) Notes on Stephen Davies, The Philosophy of Art, chapter 7

Theories of Representation in Artworks Illusion Aspect Perception/”Seeing As” “Seeing In” Imagining Davies argues [p. 171] that these four theories help to explain the experience of representation but not its basis. He defends a fifth theory: Resemblance

Zeke Berman, Goblet Portraits (1978)

Zeke Berman, Still Life with Necker Cube (1979)

Audrey Flack, Wheel of Fortune ( )

Richard Estes, Broadway Bus Stop,Near Lincoln Center (2010)

Richard Estes, Sand Beach II (2010)

Style in Art Philosophers often argue that what distinguishes art from non-art (e.g., advertising) is the degree to which an artist develops, and puts into practice, a distinctive style.

J. M.W. Turner, Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying—Typhoon Coming On) (1840)

J.M.W. Turner, Rain, Steam, and Speed—The Great Western Railway (1844)

Vincent Van Gogh, The Night Café in Arles (1888)

Piet Mondrian, Broadway Boogie Woogie ( )

An Analysis of Piet Mondrian, Broadway Boogie Woogie “Escaping to New York after the start of World War II, Mondrian delighted in the city's architecture, and, an adept dancer, was fascinated by American jazz, particularly boogie–woogie. He saw the syncopated beat, irreverent approach to melody, and improvisational aesthetic of boogie– woogie as akin to his own "destruction of natural appearance; and construction through continuous opposition of pure means—dynamic rhythm." Bands of stuttering chromatic pulses, paths of red, yellow, and blue interrupted by light gray suggest the city's grid and the movement of traffic, while the staccato vibration of colors evokes the syncopation of jazz and the blinking electric lights of Broadway.” (

Roy Lichtenstein, Drowning Girl (1963)

Roy Lichtenstein, Whaam! (1963)

Henry Moore, Family Group (1950)

Henry Moore, Two Piece Reclining Figure No. 5 ( )

Alberto Giacometti, Cat (1954)

Alberto Giacometti, Standing Woman(1959)

Representation in Photographs and Paintings The basic question Davies explores is whether or not painting is superior as an artform to photography.