Work of art facts for kids

Examples of paintings

"A portrait of Madame de Pompadour and a dog at the foot of her shoes" by François Boucher

"Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

"The Old Plantation" attributed to John Rose

Examples of sculptures

Examples of architecture

Examples of ceramic art

Examples of mosaics

Examples of furniture

A work of art is something created by an artist that has beauty or special meaning. These terms usually refer to physical things you can see, like visual art.

Works of art can include many different things:

• A painting or sculpture is a classic example of fine art.
• Objects from the decorative arts or applied arts are also works of art. These are designed to be beautiful and often have a use. Think of a piece of jewellery or a beautiful pot.
• Sometimes, an object made for a practical or religious reason can later be seen as art.
• A photograph or film can also be a work of art.
• Even installation art or conceptual art can be considered art. These might be special displays or ideas.

Sometimes, the term "work of art" is used more widely. It can describe a beautiful building or a designed landscape. It can also refer to live performances like theater, ballet, or music concerts. However, this article focuses on visual art.

The term objet d'art describes smaller art pieces. These are not paintings, prints, drawings, or large sculptures. They might be household items or figurines. The word oeuvre describes all the works an artist has created in their career.

What Is a Work of Art?

In visual arts, a work of art is a physical object. It can be two-dimensional (like a painting) or three-dimensional (like a sculpture). Experts or the public agree that it has a main aesthetic purpose. This means it is made to be appreciated for its beauty or meaning.

Art Movements and Collections

A single art object is often part of a bigger picture. It might belong to an art movement or an artistic era. For example, it could be part of a specific genre or culture. It can also be seen as one piece in an artist's complete collection, called their oeuvre.

Museums, cultural heritage experts, and art galleries often use this term. Art collectors also use it when talking about the art they own.

Art in Different Forms

Some art forms are not physical objects in the usual sense. For example, conceptual art focuses on ideas. But the physical things that document these ideas can become art objects. Early Dada and readymade works, like a bicycle wheel, are examples. They were not seen as art at first but later became famous.

Even architectural renderings (drawings) and models of buildings that were never built can be art. Famous architects like Leonardo da Vinci created such works.

Art and the Environment

Works of art can also be part of our environment. These include:

• Land art, which uses natural landscapes.
• Site-specific art, made for a certain place.
• Architecture, like famous buildings.
• Beautiful gardens and landscape architecture.
• Installation art, which creates an experience in a space.
• Rock art and megalithic monuments, like Stonehenge.

How We See Art

Some art experts think there is a difference between an art object's physical qualities and its status as a "work of art." For example, a Rembrandt painting is physically "oil paint on canvas." But it is also known as a "masterpiece" or a great "work of art."

Many artworks are not immediately seen as important. They might be rejected by museums at first. But later, they become valued and collected. This happened with works by the Impressionists and abstract artists.

Research shows that where an artwork is displayed can change how people see it. An object in a museum might be seen as more important than the same object somewhere else.

Different Kinds of Art

There is an ongoing discussion about different types of art. Some people distinguish between "fine art" and "folk art" or "applied art." Fine art is often made by "artists." Folk art or craft-work is made by "artisans" or craftspeople.

However, this difference is not always clear. For example, indigenous art or industrial design items can be seen as both. The meaning of "work of art" is always open for discussion and new ideas.

See also

In Spanish: Obra de arte para niños

• Anti-art
• Artistic media
• Cultural artifact
• Opus number (used in music)
• Outline of aesthetics
• "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction"
• Western canon