What Is Art

What is

a rt ?
TABLE OF

Co n ten ts
01. Ways of 04. Categories
Defining Art 05. History of How Art
02. Etymology is Defined
03. Philosophy of 06. Quotes
Definition of Art
Art, in its broadest sense, is a form of
communication. It means whatever the
artist intends it to mean, and this
meaning is shaped by the materials,
techniques, and forms it makes use of,
as well as the ideas and feelings it
creates in its viewers. Art is an act of
expressing feelings, thoughts, and
observations.
Wa y s o f
defi n i n g a rt
There is no one universal definition of art through there
is a conscious creation of something beautiful and
meaningful using skill and imagination. The definition and
perceived value of works of art have changed throughout
history in different cultures..
For example, the JEAN-MICHAEL
BASQUIAT painting that was sold for
$110.5 million at Sotheby’s Auction
in May 2017 would, no doubt, have
had trouble finding an audience in
Renaissance Italy.

“Untitled” (Scull/Skull-
1981)
Sold for $110.5 Million @ JEAN-MICHAEL
ETYMOLOG
Y
The term “art” is related to the Latin word “ars” meaning art,
skill, or craft. The first known use of the word comes from
13th century manuscripts. However, the word “art” and its
many variant (artem, eart,etc.) have probably existed since
the founding of Rome.
Philos o p h y o f Art
The definition of art has been debated for
centuries among philosopher. “What is art?” is
the most basic question in the philosophy of
aesthetics, which really means, “how do we
determine what is defined as art?”
This implies two subtexts: the essential nature

of art, and its social importance (or lack of it).
The definition of art has generally fallen into
three categories: representation, expression,
and form
Art as
Representative:
Mimesis. Plato first developed the
idea of art as “mimesis”, which in
Greek, means copying or
imagination. For this reason, the
primary meaning of art was, for
The Ugly centuries defined as the
representation and replication of
Duchess
something that is beautiful or
Quentin
meaningful.
Massys
Art as Expression of
Emotional Content.
Expression became important
during the Romantic Movement
with artwork expressing definite
feeling, as in the sublime or
dramatic. Audience response was
important for the artwork was
American intended to evoke an emotional
response. This definition holds true
Gothic 1930
today, as artist look to connect with
Grant Wood and evoke responses from their
Art a s Fo rm
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was one of the
most influential of the early theorists toward
the end of the 18th century. He believed that
art should not have a concept but should be
judged only on its formal qualities because the
content of a work is not of aesthetic interest.
Formal qualities became particularly important
when art became more abstract in the 20th
century and the principles of art and design
(balance, rhythm, harmony, unity) were used to
define and assess art
According to H.W. Janson author
of the classic art textbook The
History of Art…” we cannot
H isto ry o f
escape viewing works of art in H ow Ar t is
the context of time and
circumstance, whether past or Defi n e d
present. How indeed could it be
otherwise, so long as art is still
being created all around us,
opening our eyes almost daily
to new experience and thus
forcing us to adjust our sights?”
• 1850, the Avant-garde art movement
began, artist pushed the boundaries of
ideas and creativity and represented
innovative approaches to artmaking and
definition of what is art expanded to include
the idea of originality of vision.
• the idea of originality in art persists,
leading to ever more genres and
manifestations of art, such as digital
art, performance art, conceptual art,
environmental art, electronic art, etc.
• 11th-17th century, the definition of art
was anything done with skill as the
result of knowledge and practice
• 18th century Romantic Period

emphasis on science, empirical
evidence and rational thought, created
in the pursuit of beauty and expression
of emotions.
Quo tes
• Art is a discovery and development of
elementary principles of nature into a
beautiful
Forms suitable for human use. Frank Llyod
Wright
• Art enables us to find ourselves and lose
ourselves at the same time. Thomas Mertin
• The purpose of art is washing the dust of
life off our souls. Pablo Picasso
Quo tes
• Art is now what you see, but what you
make others see. Edgar Degas
• Art is the signature of civilization. Jean
Sibelius
• Art is a human activity consisting in this,
that one man consciously, by means of
certain external signs, hands on to others
feelings he has lived through, and that
Thank
y o u!

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What is

This implies two subtexts: the essential nature

• 18th century Romantic Period

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