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What is Narrative Art?

Published in Art History 1 min read

Narrative art is art that tells a story.

Understanding Narrative Art

At its core, narrative art is defined by its purpose: to convey a story through visual means. Just as a written narrative unfolds events over time, narrative art captures moments or sequences that suggest a broader storyline to the viewer.

Key Aspects

Based on the provided information, here are some key characteristics of narrative art:

  • Definition: It is fundamentally art that serves to tell a story.
  • Historical Context: A significant portion of Western art created prior to the twentieth century was narrative in nature.
  • Subject Matter: This art frequently depicted stories drawn from various sources, including:
    • Religion
    • Myth and legend
    • History
    • Literature
      (See also: History painting)
  • Audience Assumption: Historically, audiences viewing this art were generally expected to be familiar with the stories being told, enabling them to understand the narrative depicted.

In essence, narrative art acts as a visual medium for storytelling, relying on recognizable subjects and often assuming a shared cultural knowledge with its intended audience.

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