A Definition of Art

What is Your Definition of Art?


Who decides what is Art?




Which of these two beautiful landscapes suits your definition of Art?
What is Your Definition of Art?

“I don’t know, but I recognize it when I see it.”

…unknown

Every great philosopher has tackled at one time or other the thorny question, “What is Art?” There are many theories, but two schools of thought that have always appealed most to me are:

= That any work created by a person who claims to be an artist and who presents that work to the world at large for judgment should be deemed Art.

= That any work made by anyone for any reason can be judged against the historical aesthetic definitions laid down during any given period in history (say, modern art as defined by work done between mid 18th Century Europe and today, or oriental art as defined by work dating from ancient China until 1800).

I think the two definitions applied together pretty much encompass all human creative effort and leave enough room for artists and artworks not appreciated in their own time to find their rightful places in Art during later eras.

Learn to appreciate what the experts consider great art so you develop a wide frame of reference, but keep an open mind and decide for yourself what constitutes your own personal definition of art.


Oil painting from a photo taken on my last vacation, 2007. Oil painting by Camille Pisarro, French Impressionist, 1877.



Either one would look great on your wall. Don’t forget to enrich your surroundings with your favorite art works.

Jack


Comments

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By: Lilyputts
On: 07/05/2008 17:08:34
My definition of art is beauty what ever I see that strikes a spark. Art can be seen any where!

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