Art History - Purpose/style

Front 1

Expressive

Back 1

piece of art that expresses an emotion
Example: Kandinsky's Improvisations and Compositions

Front 2

Narrative

Back 2

tells a story - could illustrate a fictional account or record an historical event
Example: "The Arnolfini Marriage" by van Eyck

Front 3

Didactic

Back 3

teaches a lesson
Example: "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Bosch

Front 4

Social/Political

Back 4

made in response to a social or political act or event or to elicit a
reaction for social or political reasons
Example: “Breakfast Scene from Marriage à la Mode” by Hogarth

Front 5

Decorative

Back 5

something made to adorn or beautify
Example: jewelry

Front 6

Religious

Back 6

made to honor a religion or inspired by religion
Example: Seated Buddha

Front 7

Functional

Back 7

made to use
Example: ceramic pitcher

Front 8

Commemorative

Back 8

to remember or honor a person or event
Example: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall by Maya Lin

Front 9

Representational

Back 9

looks like real life
Example: “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci

Front 10

Abstract

Back 10

recognizable objects used in an unrealistic or unexpected manner
Example: “Paris through my Window” by Marc Chagall

Front 11

Non-objective

Back 11

the extreme of abstract art
has no recognizable objects
formal manipulation of the elements and principles of art
“Blue Poles” by Jackson Pollock