What do you call this?

[Shehaub]

I am looking for a way to describe the "storytelling" type of classical art. Unlike Still life, or sculpture, or portraits, or landscapes, they are meant to tell a story. Michaelangelo did it with the Sistine Chapel. Artemesia did it. The Forge of Vulcan by Velazquez, A Soul Brought To Heaven by Bouguereau, would also be examples. There are tons of them on ARC.

In todays world, if you say illustrator, you think of someone that creates for print of some kind. Although I truly admire the illustrators of the world, I am looking for a way to describe something with the intention of being hung on a wall, not in print, and in the same classical style as those mentioned above.

Is there a particular name for that type of work? Would that be illustrative classical art?

[Classical Vince]

Hi shehaub! Here is one description that fits:

Main Entry: al·le·go·ry
Pronunciation: 'a-l&-"gOr-E, -"gor-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ries
Etymology: Middle English allegorie, from Latin allegoria, from Greek allEgoria, from allEgorein to speak figuratively, from allos other + -Egorein to speak publicly, from agora assembly —more at ELSE, AGORA
Date: 14th century
1 : the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence; also : an instance (as in a story or painting) of such expression
2 : a symbolic representation : EMBLEM 2

[coyote]

One might call it narrative art.

[bjs0704]

I would use the word "narrative" to describe art that is meant to tell a story.

"Allegory", at least as I understood the term, does not necessarlly tell a story. The people in the picture are personifications of other things such as qualities. This sort of art is often associated with myth so it often does tell stories.

Another great term, for art similar to what you may be thinking of is "history painting". It didn't just tell of historical events, it often told of biblical stories and myths. In later times, people would try other well known literature as sources paintings to broaden their range. It was considered the "highest" form of painting from the 1600's to the 1900's.

By the way, what are you thinking of doing? I would love to see it.

Barb Solomon

[Keith Russell]

Allegory is "the figurative treatment of one subject, under the guise of another". [Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, 1996.]

Allegory is not necessarily narrative, though--being 'figurative'--it is representational (and 'representational' ought not to be confused with 'abstract', which is something else, entirely).

K

[Shehaub]

What am I doing?

I am trying to put together something that resembles an artist statement or goal statement. I am a classical art student, currently, so I am mostly doing your basic bargue, drapery and cast drawings for now. I run into trouble when I am trying to discuss where I want to go with all of this, because it sounds like I want to be an illustrator. I would not mind if something ended up in print, but I am not aiming for that area specifically. What I do want to do is "Narrative Art". (Thanks for that description)

I am not sure if there is a narrative specialization like there is for Landscapes, Still Life, or Portraits, since Narrative Art would, at times, encompass all 3 of those. So now when the neighbor asks if I am a portrait artist, or a landscape artist, I can reply "I am a narrative artist!" They can walk away confused and I can walk away with my new nifty title!

Thanks for the answers everyone!

[Keith Russell]

If I heard 'narrative artist', my first thought, though, would be 'storyteller'...

...but 'narrative visual artist'--although more accurate--is a bit clunky.

K

[Olan]

If I heard 'narrative artist', my first thought, though, would be 'storyteller'...

...but 'narrative visual artist'--although more accurate--is a bit clunky.

K
Then could the word 'artist' be *******ized? He was an artist at folding paper. Why couldn't one be good or maybe proficient; why the moniker "artist'? If she is a great violin player then she is a great violin player. She is an artist of the violin should mean she draws and paints violins. What are we who create visual works suppose be if not artist?

ah.......just letting out a little.

[Keith Russell]

Olan, I believe that a person who creates art (of any quality) is an artist.

But, many people (including some who frequent WC) seem to restrict 'artist' to mean painters only, or perhaps only those who create 2-dimensional visual art.

'Art' is very broad. 'Narrative artist' is still quite broad. (Again, it could apply to storytellers, fiction writers, or motion picture directors...)

'Narrative painter', now, is more concise--and more informative.

K

[bjs0704]

There are several names that could be appropriate for the type of work that Shehaub is wanting to do. "Narrative" is good enough for now. But I have heard of artist in the past use other titles for their work. That might be something interesting to learn about .

Debates concerning the word "art" does become another can of worms. The word "art" from what I am told comes from latin and meant "skill" usually refering to the skilled trades. So the word is to this day is applied to a number of things that one has to perfect and become skilled in. It is still used very generally.

It is also used for a group of interest - "the arts" or "fine arts".

It also is used for as the word for a particular area - "fine arts" is often shortened to "art". Often, we are refering just to painting and drawing. I have sometimes heard museum people call this "flatwork". Some contemporary artists are fond of calling themselves "visual artists" so we don't confuse them with "musicians"ect

Since art can be the word used for a "category" and the single study, one can hear many debates about whether something is or isn't art. After all, something can belong to the generic category but not be in the strict study. Am I the only one who finds some of this odd? Oh well, English can be a funny language.

Barb Solomon :)

[Shehaub]

Narrative Visual Artist - yes, it is a bit clunky, but I agree; it works. I am not a painter - yet. I do plan to get chin deep into painting as I work up my skills. I can certainly call my goal "Narrative Painter". In fact, I kind of like the ring to that. Thanks Keith!

[bjs0704]

It would be great to see them. Good luck putting them together.

Barb Solomon :)

[ironhawk]

I am looking for a way to describe the "storytelling" type of classical art. Unlike Still life, or sculpture, or portraits, or landscapes, they are meant to tell a story. Michaelangelo did it with the Sistine Chapel. Artemesia did it. The Forge of Vulcan by Velazquez, A Soul Brought To Heaven by Bouguereau, would also be examples. There are tons of them on ARC.

In todays world, if you say illustrator, you think of someone that creates for print of some kind. Although I truly admire the illustrators of the world, I am looking for a way to describe something with the intention of being hung on a wall, not in print, and in the same classical style as those mentioned above.

Is there a particular name for that type of work? Would that be illustrative classical art?


I also appreciate the term "narrative artist", or, even, "narrative painter",
and find myself sharing your same boat, adrift in the same waters. ;)