‘What is Art?’ Defining Art through Visual Texts

What is art? Are there rules around what can be considered art? Let’s try to find the answer through an analysis of fine art as visual texts.

Where art may have once been used for decoration, record keeping or propaganda, people today more often think of art as a form of expression, both for the artist and the observer. This activity series will study various artworks, styles and movements within this framework, using visual texts sourced from Britannica ImageQuest™.

Learning Outcomes

• Conceptualise and analyse artistic ideas and work.
• Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
• Identify ways in which artists draw upon the past, present and the future as a source of inspiration.
• Describe the visual devices and techniques used within each piece