Through out the semester, when we are looking and talking about art we might discuss…

When was art first created? Artistic works have existed for almost as long as humankind, from early prehistoric art to contemporary.

How would I know something is art?... If it’s in an art museum?

Not necessarily, this art is not in a museum. Banksy

But since we are on the topic of art museums… An art gallery or art museum is a space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art, and usually primarily paintings… and sculpture. It is also sometimes used as a location for the sale of art. The United States has over 140 Art museums

…and sculpture. The United States has over 140 Art museums

The Smithsonian The world's largest museum and research complex. Currently, there are18 museums to the Smithsonian, and a National Zoo. 2 are in New York City, the other 16 in Washington DC. The 19th museum—the National Museum of African American History is currently under construction.

The Musée du Louvre, in Paris, France houses over 35,000 works of art.

The Louvre The British Museum, in London, England. It first opened in The art is considered to be property of the nation so admission is free.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art The Nelson, as it’s commonly called is here, in Kansas City. It’s most famous art piece?

Not the Shuttlecocks by Claes Oldenburg

John the Baptist, by the post-Renaissance artist- Caravaggio

Aesthetics: The application of the “creative touch” that gives anything an emotional impact, usually based on its beauty. What makes anything aesthetically pleasing, especially art, is usually up for much discussion and debate.

Aesthetics: The application of the “creative touch” that gives anything an emotional impact, usually based on its beauty. What makes anything aesthetically pleasing, especially art, is usually up for much discussion and debate.

“Is there anything about this that makes it beautiful?" Is it pretty, ugly, or just okay? Would you hang it in your home? Is it good enough for a museum?

“Is there anything about this that makes it beautiful?" What makes an artist famous? Do they have to die to be famous?

Title What the artist has named the piece. Sometimes the art is named by the person who discovers or “finds it”.

Artist The person that created the art.

Date When the art was created. It may be just one day. Vincent van Gogh could finish a painting in just a couple of hours ; or years. Michelangelo took 4 years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

"Who gets to say what art is?" People highly interested in the world of art. People who have art degrees and PhDs in art usually get the say. Art historians, dealers, buyers, museum curators and sometimes the popular opinions of the general public get to say “what is art”. Fountain, Marcel Duchamp

Medium What the art is made of. Some examples include, but are not limited to: Paints, such as oils, watercolors, tempera or acrylics. Pen and ink, pencil Pastels Marble, bronze or wood Fibers such as cloth or grasses Beads or shells

In1999 artist Chris Ofili smeared elephant feces and pasted pornographic photographs on an image of the Virgin Mary and hung it in the Brooklyn Museum of Art. It caused a firestorm of protests; some were outraged. Defenders of Mr. Ofili said he was showing his “freedom of expression”. He avoided any serious discussion with the real meaning of the piece. Other art that desecrates religious symbols is “Piss Christ”.

Genre A painting that shows ordinary, common everyday happenings or scenes.

Style The personal technique of the artist. Thomas Hart Benton had a very unique style to his paintings.

Movement A way to describe when an art piece was made, such as: The Sistine Chapel was painted during the Renaissance or, Andy Warhol’s work is part of the Pop Art movement.

Art Critics Involve themselves in the use of aesthetics and the philosophy of art.

Patron A person or family who financially supports an artist. The most famous patron family were the de Medicis of Florence, Italy. Patrons in art usually purchase the art, thus becoming...

Art Collector A person who purchases art in the same way that others collect coins, stamps, shoes or cars. Art is an investment. That holds it’s value, and never depreciates.

Apprentice A person who works for a skilled master to learn a trade. An accomplished artist often learned from a master artist who worked in the medium, or genre that the student wanted to go into as a career. An apprentice generally gets paid for working for the master artist. Leonardo da Vinci was both an apprentice and a skilled master.

Cultural art Aboriginal African American Asian Buddhist Indian Italian Art Chinese Japanese Thai Latin Korean Islamic Latin American Mexican Western art