Form vs Content
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| Kazimir Malevich's "Black Circle" is an ideal representation of suprematism, an experience in pure feeling and perception. At first glance, the painting’s massive black circle at the upper right of the canvas, applied on a pure white background, appears meaningless and simplistic in nature. However, a second look, and the circle draws you into its void and causes an emotional awakening. Suprematism is a good example of form vs content because these paintings create art so pure in form that it would be easily understood by everyone, and would evoke universal feelings comparable to the intense emotions caused by religious paintings. |
Representational
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| "Shoshone Indians" by Albert Bierstadt is a good example of representational because it shows realism. This painting shows what would be seen by any photograph. For instance the reflections of the Shoshone Indians in the water. Bierstadt's paintings represent natural appearances. |
Non-Representational
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| "Figo" by Beatriz Milhazes is a good example of non-representational art because of the patterns, ashapes, and open ended colors. She starts with one square and adds to that, sometimes even completely covering the square. There is no reference to the natural world in Milhazes art. |
Abstractation
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| Kahn Wolf's "Pinewoods in Spring" is a good example of abstract art because it constructions color and light. This painting resembles less realism and does not represent any recognizable reality. |
Icon
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| "Saint Jerome in His Study" by Jan van Eyck is a good example of an icon. Jerome is represented as a scholar with a book, which represent his numerous writings. The hourglass on the table is among the symbols of a penitent hermit. The cardinal's hat he is wearing in this image is the result of a mistaken interpretation in the Middle Ages of the events in his life. |
Iconoclasm
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| Marcel Duchamp is referred to as an "iconoclast." "The Fountain" by Marcel Duchamp is a good example of iconoclasm because critics see the artist’s aggressive treatment of the Renaissance masterpiece as a humorous case of avant-garde iconoclasm |
