Figurative versus abstract

Trends & styles - chapter 2

What is the difference between 'figurative' and 'figuratively'?

'The adverb figuratively describes something symbolic, not actual. If a friend invites you to tonight's concert but you already have plans with your family, you might say — figuratively — that your hands are tied.'

www.vocabulary.com

'Figurative art, sometimes written as figurativism, describes artwork that is clearly derived from real object sources and so is, by definition, representational.'

Wikipedia

1. Figurative art

Some examples

https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2024/09/28/climate-activists-jailed-for-throwing-soup-at-van-goghs-sunflowers.html

Analysis 'Sun Flowers'

• WHAT
  Sunflowers, in bloom and decay, in a vase, on a table
  

• HOW
  Figurative art; different tones of yellow (complementary blue!); thick brushstrokes (texture!); simple background (negative space!)
  

• WHY
  Vincent van Gogh, 'Sunflowers', 1888, (Post-)Impressionism
  > Impression, not realism
  > New way of painting: emotion
  > Century of new inventions & new art (photography,cars,...)
  = Industrial Revolution. 
  
  
  

Title Text

Analysis 'The Starry Night'

• WHAT
  Cypress, stars, moon, village.
  

• HOW
  Figurative art; different tones of blue (complementary yellow!); thick brushstrokes (texture!); 
  dynamic lines and shapes. 
  

• WHY
  Vincent van Gogh, 'The Starry Night', 1889, (Post-)Impressionism
  > Impression, not realism
  > New way of painting: emotion
  > Century of new inventions & new art (photography,cars,...)
  = Industrial Revolution. 
  
  

2. Abstract art

Some examples

Analysis 'Drip Painting'

• WHAT
  Lines, loops, curls, different colours.

• HOW
  Abstract; dripping technique; continous lines instead of brushstrokes; dynamic action.
  

• WHY
  Jackson Pollock, 'Drip Painting', 1951, Action Painting
  > Abstract; expression of emotion.
  > No reference to reality.
  > Spontaneous and improvised.
  > After WW2: even more freedom in art? Some abstract art was not allowed during the Nazi regime.
   
  
  

Now it's your turn!

1) Create your own action painting image
on a piece of paper.
2) Discuss your creation with your fellow student. Which emotions do they identify?
3) Which brand can you connect with your neighbour's drawing?
4) Is advertising's imagery more inclined to be figurative or abstract?

Additional question:

is this painting figurative or abstract?

• WHAT
  Painting of a man kissing a woman.

• HOW
  Figurative + abstract; sensuality; flower + geometric elements ; golden paint. 
  

• WHY
  1907-1908, 'The Kiss', by Austrian painter Gustave Klimt.
  > Concept:
  figurative + abstract elements
  > Inspiration:
  'end of the century' vibe: excitement; Art Nouveau-like

Analysis
'The Kiss'