The Relationship of Arts and History

What is art? Art is one component important to a man’s life. It is found in all ages; it is also found in all countries of the world. Art is a man’s way of expressing his feelings, his views, his moods, or his ideas by the use of skills and imagination such as drawing, painting, sculpture, dancing and so on. His work is a product of his unique personality. An artist’s creative work is influenced by factors such as traditions, religious beliefs, his environment, his political views, economic conditions, and the place where it is produced. Art is part of a culture. Since every civilization has a culture, then every civilization has the arts. It is continued to undergo changes along with the evolution of time and of mankind. The making of the arts started since the beginning of mankind. Arts is everywhere and never stopped nor made pause. Every human being has learning to the arts although others do not have the chance to discover their ability or talent.

History is the study of the past, specifically how it relates to humans. It is the whole series of past events connected with someone or something. Art is one of the oldest and most important means of expression developed by human beings. Paintings of animals like bulls were already found among the rough and rocky walls of caves. Other images were about activities of daily life of man. The pre- historic man was already seeking and making images to express his inner feelings and emotions. In modern times, art history has emerged as a discipline that specializes in teaching people how to evaluate and interpret works of art based on their own perspective. Art history has frequently been criticized for its subjectivity because the definition of what is beautiful varies from individual to individual. Learning to evaluate what you see by building on the art forms you already know can develop your aesthetic understanding.

All art is influenced by the historical period in which it is created Artists paint or carves historical subjects because they are sensitive to the events taking place in the world around them. Juan Luna’s Spoliarium for example, shows fallen gladiators at the arena in Rome. However, this has also an interpretative reference to the social injustice during the Spanish regime. The statutes of Jose Rizal and many of our Filipino heroes magnified their efforts to gain independence from the Spaniards. The Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City reminds us of the events during the Revolutionary period in the history of our country.

             (The Spoliarium (often misspelled Spolarium) is a painting by Filipino artist Juan Luna.)

Source:

(The Dynamic Teeners of the 21st Century; LFP.Lopez, RJ. Pangan, MD. Beldia 

First Edition 2005; Book Store, Inc.)

(Appreciate and learn: Mapeh IV; AMG. Felizardo)

(http://www.arthistory.net)