Unit 2: Expressive Figures

Themes in Figurative Art

Figurative Art – art that uses the human figure as a subject

Common themes:

Religion/ spirituality, love, emotions, death, war, body image, perceived beauty, portraits, human interaction, dreams/ contemplation, sports

As we go through images of historical and contemporary artwork, you will determine what theme each artwork is presenting.

Venus of Willendorf, 25,000B.C.

THEME:

STYLE: exaggerated & abstract

TECHNIQUE: carved limestone

ARTIST'S INTENT: This is a fertility figure. So women may have kept it near them if they wanted to have a baby.

Discus Thrower, 450B.C.

THEME:

STYLE: realistic & detailed, full of potential movement

TECHNIQUE: carved marble

ARTIST'S INTENT: to show athletic energy & to study anatomy

Lord Shiva, 900 A.D. THEME: STYLE: symbolic objects & poses, graceful figure

TECHNIQUE: cast bronze

ARTIST'S INTENT: to show the different roles of the Hindu god, Shiva.

In this sculpture, Shiva stands on top of the demon of ignorance. He is in the middle of his dance of destruction-creation of the world.

Shiva holds a drum in his top R hand symbolizing the passing of time.

He holds a flame in his top L hand, symbolizing destruction before creation.

His second R hand is in the “fear not” gesture.

His second L hand points to the raised leg, which symbolizes liberation.

Jamb Figures, Chartres Cathedral,France

THEME: STYLE: simplified figures, very stiff and formal TECHNIQUE: carved stone

ARTIST'S INTENT: to show the Kings & Queens of the Old Testament (in the Bible) on the columns of the doorways to the Cathedral

“The Great Buddha”, Japanese sculpture, 1252

THEME: STYLE: simplified figure, peaceful, symmetricalTECHNIQUE: cast bronze

ARTIST'S INTENT: to honour Shakyamuni Buddha, the spiritual and philosophical teacher and founder of Buddhism; he is shown in meditation, a key component of Buddhism.

David, by Bernini, 1623, Baroque Era

THEME:

STYLE: realistic & detailed, full of action & emotion

TECHNIQUE: carved marble

ARTIST'S INTENT: to show David, from the Bible story of David & Goliath.

The Israelites were at war with the Phillistines, who had a giant warrior: Goliath.

David, a young shepherd, was the only Israelite brave enough to fight Goliath. He killed Goliath using his sling shot. He slung a stone into Goliath's forehead.

“Third of May”, F. Goya

THEME: STYLE: simplified figures in a landscape, clear focus on the rebelsTECHNIQUE: acrylic painting

ARTIST'S INTENT: to show the executions of Spanish rebels who fought against the invasion of Napoleon's French army.

“Odalisque”, by Jean A. D. Ingres, 1814THEME: STYLE: beautified figure, not totally realisticTECHNIQUE: oil paint on canvas

ARTIST'S INTENT: to show the beauty of the female figure.

An odalisque was a female slave in the Turkish Empire. The word “odalisque” later came to mean the mistress of a wealthy man.

“The Thinker”, A. Rodin

THEME: STYLE: realistic

TECHNIQUE: cast bronze

ARTIST'S INTENT: to depict a man in deep thought

“The Scream”, E. Munch

THEME:

STYLE: expressionist – focused on portraying emotion

TECHNIQUE: paint and pastel on cardboard

ARTIST'S INTENT: to show a figure in agonizing anxiety. This feeling of intense fear is also shown in the tumultuous landscape in the background.

“The Kiss”, G. Klimt

THEME: STYLE: simplified figures, abstract choice of colours & patternsTECHNIQUE: oil paint and gold leaf (collaged gold) on canvas

ARTIST'S INTENT: To show a couple locked in intimacy, against a background of shimmering, extravagant pattern

“Call of Death”, Kathe Kollwitz, 1934

THEME: STYLE: simplified figure, strong contrast of black & whiteTECHNIQUE: charcoal on paper

ARTIST'S INTENT: to show a woman as death approaches

“The Swimming Race”, Alex Colville, 1958 (Canadian)

THEME: STYLE: simplified forms, cartoon-like figures, modern background; looks like a photo

TECHNIQUE: oil paint on masonite board

ARTIST'S INTENT: to capture the moment the race begins

Annie Leibovitz

THEME: STYLE: elaborately staged portraits, strong light & deep shadow

TECHNIQUE: photography

ARTIST'S INTENT: to capture her subjects in a dramatic setting, and to create a story with the image.

Diane Arbus, “Identical Twins, Cathleen and Colleen”, 1967

THEME: STYLE: staged portraitTECHNIQUE: black and white photography

ARTIST'S INTENT: Arbus liked to photograph rare, unusual people. She questioned the idea of what is normal.

Alex Colville, “A Couple on the Beach”, 1977

THEME: STYLE: simplified forms, cartoon-like figures, modern background; looks like a photo

TECHNIQUE: paint on masonite board

ARTIST'S INTENT: To capture a moment between two people in an everyday setting.

Ken Danby, “At the Crease”, 1972 (Canadian)

THEME: STYLE: photographic realismTECHNIQUE: paint on canvas ARTIST'S INTENT: To capture a snapshot of the game he enjoyed.