The term “artwork” covers a broad spectrum of creative expression. Artwork can be used for a variety of reasons: to communicate ideas (politically, spiritually or philosophically motivated); to create a sense of beauty; for enjoyment and pleasure; to explore the nature of perception; and to generate strong emotions. There are several ways to define art: a classical definition assumes that artworks are characterized by the presence of certain properties; a more contemporary interpretation defines “art” as any creative endeavor that can be appreciated by an individual, including poetry, music and film.
The classic approach to understanding artworks begins with a consideration of the purpose of art: what is the artistic intention? An artist’s motive may be clear, such as political, religious or philosophically motivated art. Alternatively, the intention may be less explicit, such as in the case of “readymades,” an avant-garde art form invented by Marcel Duchamp. This type of art is a non-traditional work that does not seek to represent the world as it is; rather, it challenges viewers to re-imagine the world and their place in it.
An individual’s response to art may be highly personal and vary considerably based on his or her upbringing, beliefs, values and biases. For this reason, the field of art history is sometimes described as a philosophy of interpretation rather than a discipline.
In addition to personal and cultural biases, an artwork’s interpretation is influenced by the artist’s intent and the context in which the artwork was created. In addition, an artwork’s appearance and format are determined by the physical space in which it is displayed (i.e. harmonious with adjacent architectural styles; sensitive to landscape typography; imposing or dwarfed by surrounding structures; set at human eye level) and by the way in which the viewer is engaged with the work (i.e. single or sequential viewing; dynamic viewpoints; serial vision).
The works of some artists have achieved iconic status, with paintings by such luminaries as Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo drawing crowds in museums worldwide. Lesser-known artists, such as Jan Brueghel the Younger and Juan Luna, have also made significant contributions to the history of art. The experience of seeing a work of art can also be beneficial to our health and well-being. For example, research shows that viewing art increases concentration and productivity. It can even lead to a state known as the flow state, in which an individual becomes fully immersed in an activity and is unable to feel self-conscious or distracted. (Click here for more information about this fascinating topic.) The arts are an integral part of every community, and preservation efforts across the nation ensure that they continue to enrich our lives for generations to come.