Lesson 9:

THEMES and
SUBJECT MATTER
of ARTS
 Every work of art has a subject.

A song may contain lyrics of devotion

directed to a certain person. A novel may talk
about the results of war. A painting may show
a scene in nature. Every work of art –
regardless of the period in which it belongs –
has a subject, the core of its conception.
 SUBJECT MATTER

the literal topic depicted in a

work, perceptible, and identifiable
as is by superficial judgement.
 SUBJECT MATTER

is any person, animal, thing, or

issue that is described or
represented in a work.
It usually generates the question,

What is it?
Subject is different from theme or content.

Theme is recurring idea or element

in a work of art. It refers to the
ideas, thoughts, and feelings of the
artist.
 THEME

Theme the broad topic or philosophy

presented on the conceptual level,
confined into the elements of the
artwork; thus the theme is not
immediately perceptible.
 Everything under the sun is considered a
subject in the arts.
From the simplest idea (e. g., happiness) or
an object (e. g., wine bottle) to the most
complicated ones, like philosophical
thoughts or dreamscapes..
In visual design…
Artworks with subjects that are
recognizable are called realistic,
representational, or objective art.
Those that are not recognizable are
called nonrepresentational o nonobjective art, or
abstract.
 Different ways or styles depicting a
subject.

REALISM – in which the subject

is done the way it actually looks.
 DISTORTION

The artist uses his or her

imagination and alters the subject
according to his or her desire.
 ABSTRACTION

The artist breaks apart a subject and

rearranges it in a different manner. In science, it
is the process of analysis and synthesis. The
paintings of the National Artist Vicente
Manansala belongs to this category.
 NON OBJECTIVISM
There is no subject at all – just an
interplay of pure elements like line,
shape, or color, and so on.
Prevalent themes in the contemporary art
scene in the regions are responses to:
• Social
• Economic
• Political Issues
• Ethnic and Indigenous concerns
• Current Events
Other subject matters also considered are:

• Philippine Folklore
• Mythology and
• Philosophical thoughts
 Some subjects in the Visual Arts
that continue to be favored are the
following:
A still life is a work of art depicting mostly
inanimate subject matter
Landscape painting, also known as landscape art, is the
depiction in art of landscapes – natural scenery such as
mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests.
 Genre Scenes depicts aspects of everyday life by
portraying ordinary people engaged in common activities.
Portrait painting is a genre in painting, where
the intent is to depict a human subject.
Philippine Fiestas depicts the tradition and
culture of the Filipinos.
Landmark an object that marks the boundary of
the land or an object on land that marks a locality.
Additional Subjects:

• Superstitions and Supernatural belief

*All these are the subjects that have helped developed

the Filipino’s sense of national identity.
 Using Intersecting THEMES in a single
artwork
• HEROISM and IDENTITY
• HEROISM and ECOLOGY
• SPIRITUALITY, ECOLOGY and
EVERYDAY LIFE