1. All Art is Abstract!

2. What is Abstract Art?
Abstract art reduces the subject into its most basic elements (its essential shapes, lines, colors).

3. All art is abstract to some extent.
There is no way to show every single detail of the world around you!

4. The artist must choose what to show, and what to leave out.

5. Some works of art are more abstract than others!
Compare this landscape by Poussin...
…to this painting by Cezanne

6. Cezanne’s landscape is more abstract than Poussin’s.
Poussin’s work has more detail. It is more representational of reality.
Cezanne’s work has less detail. The features of the landscape are reduced to essential, geometric shapes.

7. Since every work of art is abstract, any work of art can be made more abstract.
Even the most detailed work of art can become abstract!

8. Jan van Eyck is celebrated for his masterfully detailed Arnolfini Wedding Portrait.
Van Eyck has carefully selected what he wants the viewer to see.
This painting is abstract!

9. This painting can be more abstract.
Watch as the wedding portrait becomes less detailed and more abstract.

10. This painting can be more abstract.
Watch as the wedding portrait becomes less detailed and more abstract.

11. This painting can be more abstract.
Watch as the wedding portrait becomes less detailed and more abstract.

12. This painting can be more abstract.
Watch as the wedding portrait becomes less detailed and more abstract.