Visual arts are the works of art we see with our eyes. It is a broad definition that includes a large number of disciplines and elements. From Wassily Kandinsky to Jackson Pollock, from sculptures and paintings to filmmaking and interior design – the term covers it all.
If you are writing an essay about visual arts, the chances are that you will find yourself a bit lost for words. After all, the subject matter may seem contradictory to the task at hand. However, there is no need to panic.
In this article, our experts have outlined the best way to write your very own visual arts essay step-by-step. You will see that your academic paper can be a work of art in itself. We have also included 19 outstanding visual arts essay topics from which you can choose.
Even a brief essay about visual arts can be overwhelming. It’s usually the case when you don’t know where to begin and how to organize your thoughts. That’s why creating an outline is so crucial. In this section, we have listed what can help you in writing your visual arts essay.
Try following these steps:
Choose your topic. Of course, it’s the most critical step for your paper. The idea you pick should be narrow enough for a detailed analysis. Yet, it should not prevent you from doing extensive research. Try browsing through visual arts essay collections. For example, check Bending Conceptsby Walter Benn Michaels et al. There, you can get ideas on what to write about.
Finding relevant art. Unsurprisingly, essays on visual arts require you to interact with the artwork. To offer proper art critique, you might want to conduct a visual analysis of your subject. Besides, it is a great idea to look into art history surrounding your topic. Figure out the context of the work and incorporate it into your paper.
Brainstorming. Jotting down all your feelings and ideas can be an excellent exercise. Everything that you think on the topic may come in handy. So, write down your thoughts about the style and technique of the artist, what message the work is trying to send, etc. When you’re done, make sure to look at your assessment criteria. Compare them to what you have thought of so far.
Grouping information. Here is where you might want to begin thinking of a thesis statement. Begin by grouping all the information you’ve gathered so far by themes. These will later become the foundation for the outline. Sort through all your findings and decide what ideas fit well with your topic. With this in mind, write down an excellent thesis by formulating your message in one sentence. Or our thesis generator can do that for you!
Writing the outline. Now that everything is organized, create a structure of your paper using your ideas and thesis. Begin by making an introduction to visual arts. Explain what you will be talking about in your essay. Your research and formal analysis go into the main body. Finally, your final reflection about visual arts should be left for the conclusion. This is where you get to sum up your interpretation of the work and what you see in it.
Browse through samples. Before you begin your essay writing, you might want to spend some time looking at examples. This can give you further ideas for your outline. Besides, good samples can inspire writing your very own visual arts essay. After all, art appreciation isn’t easy!
Whether you are writing a brief response piece or an entire extended essay, following these steps will improve the quality of your work. With enough practice, you will be composing visual arts essays with your eyes closed.
Visual Art Essay Topic
Still uncertain whether to write about Pablo Picasso or The Color Theory? Take a quick look at this list! Or allow our title generator to create an idea for you.
Here are 19 visual arts essay topics we have compiled just for you:
From painting to filmmaking: a brief history.
Leonardo da Vinci and the Golden Ratio.
Baya Mahieddine – the girl that inspired Picasso.
What do we mean by ‘contemporary art’?
Victorian beauty standards and their depiction in art.
How World War I gave birth to Dadaism.
The symbolism in Frida Kahlo’s paintings.
Cave paintings as very first artworks.
What is the difference between art and design?
Bollywood: how cinema evolved in India.
How the Edo period in Japan defined its arts and culture.
Salvador Dali’s influence on the surrealist movement.
Perpetuation of stereotypes in modern art.
Women in art: why are female artists often overlooked or forgotten.
Is graffiti a legitimate form of art?
The history and evolution of graphic novels.
Greek and Roman sculptures: similarities and differences.
Iconoclasm during the French revolution and its impact on art.
The evolution of Islamic Arts.
Thank you for reading! We hope that you will find inspiration among these visual arts topic ideas. Check out our visual arts essay examples that you will find below.
The "Great Pyramid of Giza" and Ruler Qin Shi Huang's "Terracotta Army" were constructed as graves for great kings to retain their influence after death.
Modern, modernism, and modernization are the notions which may be easily defined in human mind, it means that one can understand what modern, modernism, and modernization mean, however, when it comes to formulation of the [...]
These artists support the best national ideas and traditions in order to make every society successful. Artists can "encourage their followers to support the best activities and decisions in the society".
If the objects presented in the Jameel Gallery reflect the standard features of the Islamic art, the objects typical for the Mughal art can be discussed as influenced by the combination of the Islamic and [...]
A look at the military sculptures in many city parks shows that, they were meant to inspire patriotism while at the same time instigate and boost the pride of a country where the sculptures stand.
Nude art forms date back to the ancient Greeks who had the utmost respect for the sanctity that is the human body even though the same cannot be said in the present day where artists [...]
In this paper, we will look at the mimetic theory of art and the pragmatic theory of the art. As the Mimetic theory of art asserts, art is a representation or just an imitation of [...]
The aesthetic value of Season's Greetings is that the artist experimented with the building's corner to create a perspective game, as seen in Figure 1.
I have read that an understanding of the underlying story and a keen interest in storytelling is essential to build a good animation. This I have found that a number of institutes in the country [...]
Therefore, it can be asserted that one of the roles of art is to preserve the cultural trait and heritage of a community or society. This is both to the user of the artistic material [...]
The Japanese animation industry has significantly evolved to overcome most of the other animation industries in the world. The establishment of newspaper humorous strips and motion pictures in the west spurred the development of the [...]
The panes are arranged in a way that helps to quickly and intuitively follow the major events and receive a clear picture of those before the actual reading of the utterances.
This paper will highlight the purpose of revolutionary art in the society and at the same time discuss how revolutionary art has affected art and artists in America.
In a temporary post as a missionary in the village of Petit Wastes in Belgium, he recorded peasant miners' lives in his drawings. He was later exposed to Impressionist artists' works and became friends with [...]
If a practical application is concerned, an image is a way of communication, and a designer often plays the role of the mediator between the public and the seller of a product the image is [...]
The range of variations of work activities is lower than average when the output can be measured by such parameters as a total number of issues or the number of issues in a day.
Despite the strict logical organization of the stages from the basic understanding of purpose to sharpening the specific skills related to the form of art, the author claims that many artists tend to learn these [...]
According to the psychological perspective when reviewing the art of graffiti, it has helped relieve stress, and tension and brings joy to the people in the community.
Although there are differences in visual manifestations of works of art, the central aim of the art in Cameroon is to glorify the royal power of kings.
The second chapter of Scott McCloud's book "Understanding Comics" is devoted to the vocabulary of comics and all that the reader perceives when looking at the inscriptions in illustrated publications and what he concludes.
After the water in the aquarium runs out, the fish will die due to a lack of water. Consequently, human innovations and innovations cause the disappearance of water, which is a misfortune.
The purpose of the essay will be to discuss the concept of kitsch by looking at Binkley's and Calinescu's contrasting theories on the aspect of kitsch.
Hence, the analysis of this piece is feasible from the perspective of demonstrating the importance of the sociological underpinning of cultural products and the way visual techniques are used for transmitting the message.
These treasures reflect the traditions of the art of the Achaemenid period, the peculiarities of the local Greek and Bactrian art, and the elements of the Scythian style.
In a similar fashion to the Western world, self-taught groups like the Star and the Scar Painting emerged and became critical of the earlier Chinese art.
Set up by the Indian government in the forties of the previous century, this museum is located in the capital city of New Delhi and is the biggest in the country.
An example of expressive individualism is the artistic creation of the Dan people. Unlike the static form of traditional Western sculpture, African art depicts dynamics and readiness for movement.
The title of the artwork is "Adoration of the Magi"; Gentile da Fabriano created it in the 1423 year. The Adoration of the Magi, also known as the Adoration of the Kings, is a [...]
As a result, visual and performing arts are crucial for the participators and the society as a whole. The study of visual and performing arts is very crucial for the success in the industry.
Brief History of Indian Art The history of Indian art is said to be as old as the Indus Valley civilization itself where each period in history has provided the nation with unique modes of [...]
The more diverse the art exhibitions are, the more attracted the public is and eventually development of lucrative relationship that will see the collectors and artists benefit greatly from the sale of artistic works in [...]
We want to consider the first part of the story where the main character is just a boy who wants to reach the main purpose of his life, to become a Hokage, the leader of [...]
Also, Sontag had proven herself analytical enough to realize that the very concept of Camp is nothing but the modern equivalent of the concept of dandyism, originated in late 19th century: "Camp is the answer [...]
It seems to have been framed on the warriors' figure in part of a greater scene, and this stresses the significance of the figure. The legs and feet of the warrior look bigger compared to [...]
However with the advent of the neoclassical art period in the mid 18th century, balance and symmetry was emphasized as a reaction to rococo art designs.
It is essential to understand that when writing work like this, it is necessary to consider not only what is depicted but the emotions it evokes, as this, too, is an essential part of any [...]
Nearby was the Lutheran mission of Hermannsburg, where the tribespeople of Namatjira often visited to earn extra money and, at the same time, listen to the priests' sermons.
In fact, the key aim of art criticism is to realize the nature of the work and try to understand the author's motives which originated the concept of the creation.
The second image is a piece of Renaissance art entitled The Last Supper and created by Leonardo da Vinci in the 1490s. The postmodern piece questions the norms and conventions of the patriarchal society depicted [...]
Therefore, for individuals to be able to create some pieces of art, they have to have such ideas in their mind in form of mental images; hence, visible works of art are just a depiction [...]
On the other hand, the Virgin of compassion icon was a Byzantine icon portraying the Virgin and Child as subject matter. On the contrary, the painting was used as a style of artwork in the [...]
This paper will try to present the aesthetic as well as commercial interpretation of artist Yue Min Jun as an artist, in the eyes of a westerner but with the consideration of personal history and [...]
Modernity in visual arts and cinema is part of the ever-changing world, wherein the establishment of ideas, different people in the world of art participates in experimenting with the forms and styles of art, thus [...]
The lack of information about the Dogon traditions and philosophy is one of the key complexities associated with the definition of the role of the twin concept in the Dogon culture.
Gladwell appears to be one of the modern artists whose skills have broken from the past in terms of specialization and application of both materials and skills, especially due to the digitalization of his methods [...]
The show of a sand artist includes a video that allows the audience to see the process of the creation of the piece; it also is accompanied by special music, and, of course, the art [...]
Problems occur where art is taken as a form of criticism among religions where some are considered better than others on the basis of the kinds of art that they adopt and use in their [...]
Through the use of one of the most archetypical images of a woman in Western culture that of the Virgin Mary the painting discusses the questions of universal femininity.
Murals, as one of the major forms of revolutionary art, were popularized by the government of the country that promoted exterior frescoes in Mexico City and other cities of the country.
The show has presented four major events from the life of the Buddha: the Birth and the Dearth of the Buddha, the First Sermon at the Deer Park, and the Image and the First Teaching [...]
For example, Americans of Mexican descent created Chicano art as a colorful and striking method of conveying their perspective of life and social position to the world.
The artistic language I am using to respond to this material is dance, and I will examine the various ways in which papers move when subjected to a force.
I greatly enjoy the idea that Andy Warhol was able to create new idols and objects of worship out of common everyday things; notably, out of Campbell's soup cans.
The subject matter of Michelangelo's Pieta portrait is the body of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. This artwork is a picture of one of the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary, as experienced [...]
In the prehistoric and ancient works of art, the representation of women and men reveals a massive imbalance in gender equity that favors men over women.
With the help of art lessons, a person begins to enrich irrational thinking, build imagination and see artistic images and aesthetics. Also, the introduction of art and literature classes will help to express emotions appropriately.
Douglas writes about one of the pillars of the visual culture of the Internet memes: "Internet memes are based on the ideals of non-market network solidarity and free the work from the need to be [...]
These types of printmaking have differences relative to the nature of the surface, which creates or forms the print that is to be transferred onto a fabric or paper.
Accordingly, art work is believed to portray the exceptional, individual stance and sentiments of the artist; consequently for art to be considered good, it must clearly show the sentiments and feelings the individual intends to [...]
It also refers to the art produced after the decay of Constantinople in the hands of the Ottoman Empire."So in a very broad sense it includes the art of Russia, Greece and other countries under [...]
Though the artistic value of the graffiti remains questionable for most cultural experts, certain samples of spray-painting may be regarded the works of art in the context of the hip-hop culture.
His beginning point was in the text as a system of signs, Allmer."A theory of semiotics" advanced by Eco disagrees with the theory that says; what symbols imply is dictated by the objects they refer [...]
Arts of the antique world refers to the lots of types of art that were in the backgrounds of ancient societies, such as those of antique China, India, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome.
Thus, obviously being the bright example of the modern art, Condensation Cube helps to author to introduce several questions which are interesting to him and raise the question of the relations between art and science [...]
Indeed, seeing that turtle and tortoise shells have been used as the raw material for various types of medicine for quite a while in China and Vietnam, as well as the fact that the Chinese [...]
This section of the paper discusses the impacts of digital technology on the world of arts. Digital technology has extended the array and amount of artwork that one artist can do in a given period.
She was widely exposed to art and yearned to run away to France which charted the direction of her life as she thwarted her mother plans for "coming out" into the society and leading a [...]
Considering this, the Baroque Era is one of the most significant periods in the world of art, as it bore a new world of art dominated by both religious and iconoclastic artistic representations, as a [...]
At first, it is necessary to examine the sculptural works which belong to the archaic period of the Greek culture. The techniques that one can see in the sculptures of the Archaic Period were rejected.
However, graffiti is vandalism and requires the authorization of the property owner. Moreover, graffiti reduces the value of properties and costs the citizens a lot of money in cleaning it up.
The contrast between the black and white background etched image and the blue ink illustrations makes it easy to see for the viewer to pick out the elements that the artist fixed in the piece [...]
Nevertheless, the most important impact of the Silk Road system experienced in China is the art culture. Arguably, the Chinese art and architecture borrow a lot from the other cultures involved in the Silk Road [...]
One of the first historical pieces of evidence that can be attributed to the manifestation of creativity on the part of human ancestors is a pebble from Makapansgat.
Van Loo's paintings clearly acord to the carefree style of the Rococo and play an essential role in the art revolution, due to his wise choice of colors and motives.
The questions prompted by the observations of the "Secret Heart" are some of the many that follow from Damien Hirst's indictment of religion as viable means of ascribing meaning to human experience.
Creating more opportunities for deaf people allowed them to become more confident and proficient in self-expression, enabling the progress of deaf art and culture.
Due to the lack of detail and the unobstructed silhouette lighting, the viewer can witness the anguish of the photography's subject. Finally, "The Entombment of Christ" is a famous example of chiaroscuro lighting in art.
The date of its production has been determined around the end of the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth century, and the name of its maker has not survived in history.
Since the main element in land art is the artist's intervention in the natural environment, the projects reflect the diversity and uniqueness of nature, climate variability, environmental issues, and the essence of the impermanence of [...]
It should be noted that the period of the early Renaissance was rooted in a tide of change in the stagnant Middle Ages, which was accompanied by an explosion of thought, knowledge, and creativity.
Similarly, St Jerome and the Angel of Judgment utilizes a thematic subject of martyrdom and death commissioned at the church of Santissima Trinita Delle Monache, Spain, in 1626, depicting saint Jerome kneeling and looking up [...]
Most importantly, art and not art both have the ability to play-out some form of emotion. The moment an individual changes the perspective on the way a subject is viewed, analyzed and meaning attached to [...]
The patterns of the item, which were initially established in southern Italy after the area was converted back to Christianity, demonstrate the widespread adoration of the Islamic style among the aristocracy of Normandy.
In Inferno, Dante depicted his encounters with sinners in the form of a shocking reminder of the evil that penetrates the world and defiles even a pilgrim passing through landscapes of suffering on the way [...]
The existing definition of art fails to grasp the full gamut of influences that shape the development of an art piece and define changes within the very environment, causing art movements to emerge.
Though both artists are exceptionally talented and their works are among the most praised, Dante would probably prefer Dore's illustration of the literary masterpiece. The works have certain sharpness, the play of light, and emotion, [...]
Hence, graffiti itself, as a separate genre, is a form of art due to its emotional and psychological influence. Due to its emotional and psychological impact, graffiti itself is a type of art as a [...]
A cloud is depicted on the left side of her face, and beneath it is written, "This sank in like the sun had gone behind the clouds"."Like I had been covered by a heavy blanket [...]
The lines used by the creator of the painting are curved, which makes the painting's mood softer. The color and texture are the fascinating aspects of the picture's design.
Thus, the zigzag lines at the base of the pectoral represent primordial waters, which refers to the importance of the royal figure and the concept of eternity.
The pandemic of COVID-19 did not only pose a threat to the physical health of the population but also put many people in a position in which they had to deal with the loss of [...]
Pages: 1
Words: 288
Research Title Generator
We’ll help you brainstorm great title ideas for your essay, research or speech in no time!
Research Question Generator
Get a list of ideas for your essay or term paper. We’ve prepared the best research question generator.
Title Page Generator
Craft a paper title page with just a couple of clicks. Get it in APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard without any effort
