Textbook Analysis: Views and Preferences for Art

Everyone has a different view and preference for art, but that does not mean not all art is beautiful just because you do not like how it looks. This is what the textbook discusses in chapter two, “What Is Art?”. The chapter starts off by talking about how the value of art can depend on what era we are in. Some pieces of art do not gain attention until well after its time. Because of this, artists often struggle to find the right audience for their work. On the other hand, some artists create strictly commissioned artwork. Like stated before, everyone’s preference for art is different, and any piece can construct various emotions. The aesthetic of a piece really depends on the viewer to interpret it. The textbook then goes on to discuss different styles of art.

In Western art there was first representational or naturalistic art. This is art that depicts the work basically just as we see it. One form of this is trompe l’oeil, or “fool the eye”, which is fairly self explanatory. Then, artists like Picasso dabbled in abstract art, which is art that still depicts natural forms but pushes the boundaries of it. Stylized art falls somewhere between representational and abstract, while nonrepresentational art is another category where the art does not represent anything from the natural world. There are many factors that define or explain a specific piece of art. There is its form and context or iconography where we can decipher the meaning or subject matter behind a piece, there are several materials and techniques that artists can use, and there is context where we can further find out the meaning behind a piece and its purpose. In every art class that I have taken, whether it be in high school or college, everyone has their own specific style of art that they have developed.

A lot of people definitely have a more naturalistic approach, but I have seen others experiment with more stylized or abstract pieces as well. Whatever style it is, everyone still appreciates their work as art. I think critiques especially help with this because then we can understand the meaning, intention, and context behind a piece. This helps us see that even if a piece is not our preferred style, we can still see that it is beautiful.

Personally I prefer working in a more naturalistic style, but I can still appreciate other styles as well. This chapter helps people to understand all the different approaches to art, which directly applies to anyone currently taking an art class, including myself.