2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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
7. “The Great Buddha”, Japanese sculpture, 1252
THEME:
STYLE: simplified figure, peaceful, symmetrical
TECHNIQUE: 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.
8. 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.
9. “Third of May”, F. Goya
THEME:
STYLE: simplified figures in a landscape, clear focus on the rebels
TECHNIQUE: acrylic painting
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show the executions of Spanish rebels who fought against
the invasion of Napoleon's French army.
10. “Odalisque”, by Jean A. D. Ingres, 1814
THEME:
STYLE: beautified figure, not totally realistic
TECHNIQUE: 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.
11. “The Thinker”, A. Rodin
THEME:
STYLE: realistic
TECHNIQUE: cast bronze
ARTIST'S INTENT: to depict a man in
deep thought
12. “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.
13. “The Kiss”, G. Klimt
THEME:
STYLE: simplified figures, abstract choice of colours & patterns
TECHNIQUE: 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
14. “Call of Death”, Kathe Kollwitz, 1934
THEME:
STYLE: simplified figure, strong contrast of black & white
TECHNIQUE: charcoal on paper
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show a woman as death approaches
15. “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
16. 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.
17. Diane Arbus, “Identical Twins, Cathleen and Colleen”, 1967
THEME:
STYLE: staged portrait
TECHNIQUE: black and white photography
ARTIST'S INTENT: Arbus liked to photograph rare, unusual people. She
questioned the idea of what is normal.
18. 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.
19. Ken Danby, “At the Crease”, 1972 (Canadian)
THEME:
STYLE: photographic realism
TECHNIQUE: paint on canvas
ARTIST'S INTENT: To capture a snapshot of the game he enjoyed.
