Art Appreciation: The Role of the Artist

Out of all the topics I have covered in my study of art, I strongly feel the most valuable information gleaned from this study can be found in the thoughts of Henry M. Sayre. In particular, I am deeply impressed by Sayre's discussions of the four roles of the artist. Hence, for this article, I will compare and contrast these roles, placing a particular emphasis on a few of the artistic works created by them.

The first role Sayre mentions is one in which the artist creates "a visual record of the places, people, and events that surround them" (Sayre 11). This role is meant to record the world. Since all art seems to be some sort of record in itself, there are numerous works I could use to illustrate this. Nonetheless, there are two works that initially come to mind: First, notice Thomas Cole's oil painting The Oxbow. It is a perfect visualization of nature and civilization juxtaposed side-by-side. The painting is a record of a moment, immediately following a thunderstorm, and we can see, as the sun breaks new light, the passing storm has yet to recede in the distance. Still, all the same to the valley below, civilization stands triumphant and unharmed. Second, and similarly, observe the Pyramids of Menaure, Khafre, and Kufu. Certainly, these pyramids could perform multiple functions, but due to their permanence, they state something inherently truthful about civilization. In our desire to touch, worship, and, perhaps, join the heavens themselves, they offer a visual record of the civilization that constructed them. Taken together, both Cole's work and the pyramids are similar in the aspect that they show humankind's longings to persevere. Then again, both express the human need to offer reverence and worship to the natural world. Undoubtedly, the Pharaohs had good reason to align their pyramids with the sun and the stars, just as Cole had good reason to celebrate the wilds of nature.

The second role of the artist is "to give visible or tangible form to ideas, philosophies, or feelings" (Sayre 12). This role can be revealing. It can work to heighten our most passionate and intimate yearnings. The early Greeks experienced numerous phases of sculpture, but their more expressive works demonstrate this role very well. Notice, Three Goddesses utilizes an expressive line in the folding layers of the marble cloth. Here, the use of an expressive line functions as an emotional guide for the observer to intuitively follow and feel. In contrast, this expressive quality is unlike Kouros, which, although expressive in its own right, adheres to a set cannon of proportion not nearly as free and relaxed as the former. In all, Kouros seeks to appeal to our reason and intellect, whereas the Three Goddesses seeks to tempt our inner passions.

The third role of an artist is "to reveal hidden or universal truths" (Sayre 13). This role can be best examined through the consideration of religious works. For example, Triumphal Entry is a portion of a religious text which explores the sacred without utilizing the human figure. This is unlike Michelangelo's The Last Judgment, which attempts to personify the sacred with a human representation. As a result, both works are similar in their desire to express something hidden to our material sensibilities, yet they are different in the methods in which the artists chose. Michelangelo placed unique importance on human, spiritual qualities. In contrast, the Triumphal Entry endeavored to impart the universality of a faceless truth.

The final and fourth role of an artist is "to help us see the world in a new or innovative way" (Sayre 15). Due to its potential for extreme size and scale, architecture exhibits this quality better than any other. Notice the Pantheon. Through its utilization of space, the observer can step wholly into this work and experience something ethereal--perhaps, even transcendental. As one gazes up through the oculus she/he is subjected to the beauty of the sky and the heavens above. On a good day or night, the light of the moon or sun will illuminate the perfected structure of the dome and intensify the experience. Unlike the vivid paintings of Cole, or the emotional expressiveness of Greek sculpture, the massive scale of an architectural work often overwhelms the senses. Good architecture heightens our awareness and prompts us to come into contact with the world in a way we are not accustomed.

In this article, I have attempted to analyze the four roles of the artist. I have compared and contrasted six works I found to be interesting. As a final note, I feel all the works discussed here share in the aspect they were created by artists. Some are different in the functional role the artist chose. Some are different in the purpose for creating them. Still, if there is a mutual or collective reason for the creation of art, it exists in the fact we all seek to understand the world. The ultimate function of art--or any worthwhile human endeavor--stems from this desire.

Works Cited
Sayre, Henry M. A World of Art (Revised Fourth Edition). Upper Saddle River: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2004.