TYPES OF PAINTING SUBJECTS

In art history, paintings have traditionally been categorized into five genres based on their subject matter. These genres are:

History Painting

History paintings depict specific historical, religious, or allegorical events, often conveying a moral message.

Portrait Art

Portrait art focuses on people as subjects, with the most common form being single portraits, although group or self-portraits also fall under this genre.

Genre Painting

Genre paintings capture everyday scenes, portraying life itself rather than landscapes. They may depict scenes like workers in their daily routines or social gatherings, emphasizing the setting over individual figures.

Landscape Painting

Landscape paintings, a popular genre, showcase natural scenery with an emphasis on realism, capturing details like light effects through clouds or on water surfaces.

Still Life Painting

Still life paintings focus on everyday objects, aiming for accurate representation. They also serve as a means to practice painting techniques, exploring how colors interact with light and shadow on objects.