Art is a form of expression that allows humans to grasp the universe not just in a physical sense, but also in terms of culture and human experience. Creating art is about more than making pretty things, though; it’s about addressing basic human concerns such as death and the afterlife, desire and portraiture, power and propaganda, myth and storytelling, and the divine and the sacred. Art reflects our collective consciousness and societal values in ways that are uniquely suited to visual expression.
Art can be many things, from painting and sculpting to architecture and design. It is also a way of conveying ideas and expressing ourselves, as well as a means for social change. Artists can use their work as a form of protest and activism by tackling subjects that are taboo or difficult to discuss, or they can create works that are more positive in nature, such as beauty and balance.
While there is no one agreed upon definition of art, it is generally defined as anything that makes a viewer think or feel something when observing it. This includes not just the subject matter of an artwork but also its formal aspects, such as proportion and perspective. The purpose of an artwork is also often considered a factor in whether or not it is considered art; a painting or sculpture that is intended to entertain may be deemed entertaining regardless of its subject matter, while an artistic expression based on a political or religious cause is likely to have more impact when the work is critical or controversial.
Throughout history, the meaning of art has changed and evolved. For example, in the era of Renaissance humanism, art was seen as a skill that could be learned through practice and hard work. By the era of Romanticism and the birth of individualism, art became about personal expression and a search for originality.
Art has the ability to transcend cultural boundaries and reach people around the world, which is why it’s so important to teach students about art from various cultures and time periods. This helps them develop a broader perspective about the world they live in, and it can even help them build empathy for people who are different than themselves.
When teaching about art, it’s also helpful to compare and contrast both past and living artists. This can help students find a deeper meaning in the works they’re learning about, as well as making them more familiar with how similar themes and concepts have been explored by artists throughout history. For example, you can ask your students to identify common characteristics of artwork by Jan Van Eyck, Tilman Riemenschneider, Albrecht Durer, Hieronymus Bosch, and Hans Holbein the Younger, to show them how some themes or ideas have stayed the same while others have transformed over time.