Southern New Hampshire University
HUM-200: Applied Humanities
Week 1 Notes: Introduction to the Humanities
What is art? Let’s start with a dictionary definition:
art (noun)
The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form
such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or
emotional power.
But what does it mean to appreciate a work of art? Is it fair to say this means finding something
of value in it? The work of art is the vessel through which the meaning is transferred. “Meaning”
is not physical and can’t be quantified, rendering it invisible to scientific scrutiny and placing it
firmly in the realm of the humanities. The role of the artist, obviously, is to create something – a
work of art. As the viewer, reader, or listener, we have a role as well; experiencing the work and
seeking to understand what it means, what it expresses, how it makes us feel, what it makes us
think.
What does the artist do?
1. Selecting a subject
The first thing an artist does is select a subject. Selection of the subject is important
because this process is also one of assigning value; subject A is “worthy” of being
depicted, and, by consequence of not being selected, subjects B, C, D, etc. are not. The
first question we should ask ourselves is “Why was this subject selected?” Most works of
art require a lot of effort – hours upon hours at the least, years or even decades of toil at
the most.
2. Choosing a means and style of depiction
The second thing an artist does is depict the subject. So, the second question we can ask
ourselves is “What method of depiction is the artist using?” Some of the methods are
known as famous styles or movements, like Impressionism and Cubism.
Other methods of depiction are simply referred to by the period in which the artist
worked. Italian art of the 17 century, typically classified as the style, employs
th Baroque
