21 The visual arts

A Changing tastes

Throughout the centuries, people have tended to be Throughout the centuries, people have tended to be suspicious of the new art movements of their period. suspicious of the new art movements of their period. At the end of the 19th century, for example, people were shocked by Impressionism1, criticising its practitioners as careless daubers2. Later, when faced with Cubist3 At the end of the 19th century, for example, people were shocked by Impressionism1, criticising its practitioners as careless daubers2. Later, when faced with Cubist3 paintings, the public were puzzled by those too. The Surrealists4 were initially deemed5 crazy. Op-art6 was criticised because its subject matter7 was said to consist paintings, the public were puzzled by those too. The Surrealists4 were initially deemed5 crazy. Op-art6 was criticised because its subject matter7 was said to consist of nothing of significance. However, nowadays, liking Surrealism8 or Op-art is considered perfectly acceptable, and images from these schools of art9 appear of nothing of significance. However, nowadays, liking Surrealism8 or Op-art is considered perfectly acceptable, and images from these schools of art9 appear everywhere, from posters to advertising campaigns. everywhere, from posters to advertising campaigns. Perhaps because of the ubiquity of advertising, people tend to be more visually literate10 than they used to be, and so are perhaps inured to11 surprises. Perhaps new Perhaps because of the ubiquity of advertising, people tend to be more visually literate10 than they used to be, and so are perhaps inured to11 surprises. Perhaps new movements in art will meet with less hostility in future. movements in art will meet with less hostility in future.

B

C

1, 3, 4, 6, 8 types of artist and schools of art of the last 150 years 2 someone who paints quickly and carelessly (disapproving) 5 considered; formal 7 content 9 art movement 10 educated with regard to art 11 not affected by

Words for commenting on art

original: new in a special and interesting way (opp. = predictable) highbrow: intended for educated, intelligent people (often disapproving) (opp. = lowbrow) impenetrable: extremely difficult to understand (opp. = transparent) sophisticated: showing advanced skills and understanding (opp. = primitive) challenging: demanding considerable effort to be understood (opp. = undemanding) dazzling: inspiring great admiration because it is brilliant in some way (opp. = pedestrian) evocative: calling up images and memories (opp. = uninspiring) thought-provoking: making people think (opp. = unstimulating) exquisite: having rare beauty or delicacy (opp. = clumsy) intriguing: interesting because it is strange or mysterious (opp. = dreary) peerless: better than any other (opp. = run-of-the-mill) tongue-in-cheek: not intended to be taken seriously, despite appearing serious (opp. = earnest) priceless: extremely valuable (opp. = worthless) skilful: clever, masterly, done well (opp. = poorly done)

Art and metaphor

Notice how words connected with art can be used when talking about literature.

The writer paints his hero in a fascinating light. Minor characters are more shadowy or sketchy but they are also depicted quite powerfully, even though the focus is, inevitably, on the two central characters. These are portrayed with great sensitivity. The heroine is particularly colourful and we see how her character is shaped and moulded by events. Some say the author illustrates his motifs in a black-and-white fashion, but the image he creates to illuminate the evils of slavery will remain with me for ever.

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Choose a word from the text in A opposite to answer the questions.

1 What is the early 20th century school of art which shows unusual or impossible things happening? 2 What is the mid 20th century school of art which has its origins in optical illusions? 3 What is the early 20th century school of art which depicts people or objects as a set of geometric shapes? 4 What is the late 19th century school of art whose aim was to represent the effects of light on people or scenes? 5 What phrase can be used to mean the content of a painting or other work of art? 6 What phrase can be used to describe someone with an educated understanding of art?

Read the sentences and answer the questions.

1 Finn enjoys painting but he’s a dauber not an artist.

Does the speaker have a high or low opinion of Finn’s work? 2 Curious as it now seems, the artist’s work was deemed morally dangerous.

Is this sentence more likely to come from a formal or informal source? 3 The sculptor is now inured to criticism.

How is the sculptor affected by criticism? 4 While at art school, Matilda was particularly interested in the Cubist school of art.

What is the difference between art school and school of art?

Look at the adjectives in B opposite. Divide them into these categories:

usually positive associations usually negative associations negative or positive associations

Choose one of the words from each pair of opposites in B and think of a work of art (of any kind) that you could apply it to. Write a sentence explaining why it applies.

example I think that the paintings by Salvador Dali could be called intriguing, because he uses such curious and surprising images.

Choose the correct word to complete these sentences.

1 I think that the artist’s cartoons are usually rather highbrow / dreary / lowbrow as they are intended to appeal to a mass audience. 2 When an artist sent in an ordinary red brick to an exhibition, no one was sure whether it was impenetrable / run-of-the-mill / tongue-in-cheek or intended as a serious statement. 3 Although the artist’s early work is very sophisticated, some of his later pieces are surprisingly primitive / thought-provoking / original in style. 4 I find pictures of dull grey street scenes rather dreary / peerless / dazzling. 5 The design on that china plate is earnest / exquisite / transparent – however did they manage to paint such fine detail? 6 Although his photographs are quite challenging / evocative / intriguing, it is worth making the effort to understand them.

Make a verb–noun–adjective word formation table with these words from C opposite.

paint sketch depict portray colour shape illustrate illuminate

Over to you

Visit the websites of well-known museums and art galleries and look at some of the works of art in them. Use words from this unit to describe the works you see.