Overview

In this Art Quest, students will gain a better understanding of aesthetics. They will learn how the subject, composition, and content of an artwork are related to aesthetics. In exploring aesthetics, students will be able to see artworks by visiting the following museum Web sites:

• Brauer Museum of Art
• Emerson Gallery
• The Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
• National Gallery of Art
• Carnegie Museum of Art

Objectives

After completing this Art Quest, students should be able to:

• Define the term aesthetics.
• Explain how subject, composition, and content relate to works of art.
• Classify paintings according to an aesthetic view.

Suggested Follow-Up

After students have completed the Test Yourself section, conduct a class discussion where students can share their answers.