"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see" - Edgar Degas.
The idea that art is more than just a visual depiction is best expressed in this quote. It is a manifestation of originality, feeling, and the human condition. But one may wonder what constitutes fine art exactly. Why does it matter, too?
In this article, we shall examine the various fine art mediums that go beyond the conventional canvas and why broadening our perspective on fine art is essential for a more inclusive and diverse art community as creatives and as art lovers.
Definition of Fine Art and Why it Matters:
Visual art made for its intellectual, aesthetic, and artistic value than for its practical or commercial value is generally referred to as fine art. It covers a broad spectrum of mediums, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and photography. Performance art, installation art, and video art are just a few of the more varied artistic expressions that have found their way into the concept of fine art over time.
Understanding what fine art is is important because it enables us to understand and appreciate the contributions that artists have made to our society and culture. Additionally, it allows us to recognize the power of art to challenge societal norms and create meaningful change.
Exploring Traditional Forms of Fine Art
For centuries, art has been a core part of human expression, capturing the essence of our emotions, culture, and society. Traditional forms of fine art, such as painting, sculpture, and printmaking, have played a pivotal role in shaping our understanding and appreciation of art.
Painting
The practice of putting color to a surface is undoubtedly the most well-known type of fine art. Paintings come in a variety of styles, ranging from oil and watercolor to acrylic and encaustic. Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa is a well-known painting. The use of sfumato, a technique that combines colors and edges to create a soft, hazy look, is recognized in this masterpiece. The Mona Lisa also employs chiaroscuro, a technique that employs light and shadow to create a sense of depth and perspective.
Sculpture
It is another traditional style of fine art that entails the creation of three-dimensional works of art from various materials such as marble, bronze, or wood. Michelangelo's David regarded as a Renaissance masterpiece, is one of the most famous sculptures. This sculpture is recognized for its extraordinary attention to detail and lifelike proportions that depict the human figure precisely.
Printmaking
While less well-known than painting or sculpture, printmaking is still an important type of traditional fine art. Printmaking is the process of generating a design on a surface, such as a woodblock or copper plate, and then transferring it to paper with ink. The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai is one of the most famous prints in the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series. The Great Wave is acclaimed for its rich detail and portrayal of the ocean's force and beauty.
Each of these traditional types of fine art has distinguishing features that set it apart. Painting allows you to create a two-dimensional image that can elicit a variety of feelings and moods. Sculpture, on the other hand, provides a three-dimensional portrayal of our surroundings, allowing us to interact with art in a more tactile manner. Printmaking allows for the reproduction of pictures and the creation of multiples of a single design, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
Fine art has changed greatly over time, with new forms appearing and its definition broadening. Video art, installation art, and performance art are examples of contemporary art genres that are pushing the boundaries of established classifications. To transmit artistic expression, these emerging forms of fine art frequently combine numerous mediums and techniques.
Diverse types of fine art help to create a more inclusive art world by expanding the notion of what constitutes art. By giving a platform for underrepresented voices and ideas, such diversity can challenge cultural norms and effect genuine change. Artists such as Kara Walker and Yinka Shonibare, for example, use their work to explore racial and power dynamics, whereas Ai Weiwei addresses political and social themes in China.
Conclusion
Traditional forms of fine art have existed for millennia and remain an important component of our aesthetic legacy. Painting, sculpture, and printmaking all have distinctive features that set them apart. Understanding these types of art is critical for appreciating artists' contributions throughout history and continuing to broaden our understanding of art in the present and future.
Finally, the broadening of the definition of fine art results in a more diverse and inclusive art community. Diverse forms of fine art are having a big impact on the art industry and beyond by challenging society's standards and effecting substantial change.