Themes in Art Essay

 

 

Storytelling

Does the art present a story from literature, theater, or song?

Does the art present a story from history?

Does the art record current events?

Does the art create its own narrative?

 

On Humanity

How does a work of art help the viewer understand themselves?

How does a work of art change individuals’ interactions within a community?

How does a work of art help the viewer understand the nature of the circle of life and mortality?

How does a work of art explore ideas about body, race and gender?

 

Spirituality

How does the work of art manifest the spiritual realm?

How does the work of art narrate the stories of religious traditions?

How do the sacred spaces created by artists/architects impact the spirituality and/or understanding of the faithful?

 

Nature and Science

How does the artist depict nature and what does that say about attitudes toward nature?

How did the artist use scientific knowledge or technology to produce the art?

 

Politics and Social Order

Does the art try to define and/or assert power?

Does the art try to influence public thought?

Does the art intend to increase social awareness?

Sample Solution

Yes, art can often present stories from literature, theater, or song. Some examples include:

  • The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli (1484-1486) is a painting that depicts the birth of the Roman goddess Venus, as described in Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
  • Guernica by Pablo Picasso (1937) is a painting that depicts the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.
  • The Scream by Edvard Munch (1893) is a painting that depicts a figure screaming in despair, against a swirling and anxious background. Some critics have interpreted the painting as a representation of the existential angst of the modern era.

Does the art present a story from history?

Yes, art can also present stories from history. Some examples include:

  • The Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidered cloth that tells the story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066.
  • Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze (1851) is a painting that depicts George Washington crossing the Delaware River with his troops on the night of December 25, 1776.
  • The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci (1495-1498) is a painting that depicts the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion.

Does the art record current events?

Yes, art can also record current events. Some examples include:

  • The Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David (1793) is a painting that depicts the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, a leading figure in the French Revolution.
  • Protest in Ferguson by Damon Davis (2014) is a painting that depicts the protests that erupted in Ferguson, Missouri, following the police shooting of Michael Brown.
  • Banksy’s Girl with Balloon (2002) is a mural that depicts a young girl letting go of a red balloon in the shape of a heart. The mural has been interpreted as a commentary on social inequality and the fragility of hope.

Does the art create its own narrative?

Yes, art can also create its own narrative. Some examples include:

  • The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch (1500-1515) is a triptych that depicts a surreal and fantastical world, filled with both biblical and mythological imagery. The painting has been interpreted in many different ways, but it is clear that Bosch was creating his own unique and personal narrative.
  • The Dream by Henri Rousseau (1910) is a painting that depicts a lush and exotic jungle scene, with a woman reclining on a sofa and a lioness walking nearby. Rousseau was known for his self-taught and naive style, and his paintings often create a sense of wonder and mystery.
  • The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí (1931) is a painting that depicts melting clocks on a barren landscape. The painting is often interpreted as a representation of the passage of time and the relativity of memory.

In addition to the examples above, there are many other examples of art that tells stories. Art can be a powerful tool for storytelling, and it can be used to explore a wide range of human experiences, from the personal to the historical to the universal.

A 2000-word essay on art that tells stories

An essay on art that tells stories could explore a variety of topics, such as:

  • The different ways in which art tells stories
  • The history of narrative art
  • The relationship between art and storytelling in different cultures
  • The role of art in preserving and transmitting stories
  • The ways in which art can be used to challenge or subvert traditional narratives
  • The use of art to tell stories about marginalized or underrepresented groups

Here are some specific examples of topics that could be explored in a 2000-word essay on art that tells stories:

  • The use of art to tell stories about the African diaspora
  • The use of art to tell stories about the LGBTQ+ community
  • The use of art to tell stories about climate change
  • The use of art to tell stories about war and conflict
  • The use of art to tell stories about social injustice

An essay on this topic could also focus on a specific artist or artwork. For example, an essay could explore the ways in which Frida Kahlo’s paintings tell stories about her personal experiences with pain and trauma. Or, an essay could explore the ways in which the Bayeux Tapestry tells the story of the Norman conquest of England from a

 

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