Alternative Theories of Art
(As Analyzed by Ralf J. Long)

Representation

The function of a work of art is to represent portions of reality. Art should be nonfictional.

·     Subordinates art to history and survey science.

·     Works best for the visual arts. Literary works have representational potential; musical works almost none.

·     Favors stylistic realism. Doesn't account for the appeal of impressionistic and expressionistic works.

·     This function has been largely assumed by photography.

Illustration

The function of a work of art is to illustrate things like religious teachings.

·     Makes art an adjunct to other endeavors.

·     Early works of art were created for primitive religious ceremonies; later works of art were commissioned to illustrate religious texts.

Edification and Persuasion

The function of a work of art is to edify and persuade the perceiver.

·     Regards art as pedagogic tool and propaganda tool.

·     Favors fables and moralistic dramas.

·     Doesn't account for (instrumental) music.

·     Was advanced by Plato.

Embodiment of Beauty

The function of a work of art is to embody beauty.

·     Favors harmony over dissonance in art.

·     Favors uplifting themes over depressing or disconcerting ones and nobility over commonness or degradation.

·     Disparages dissonant music and visual and literary works with unpleasant themes.

Catharsis Induction

The function of a work of art is to induce a catharsis in the perceiver.

·     Is based on a tension-resolution paradigm.

·     Applies best to dramatic music and longer, dramatic and melodramatic literary, stage, and film works.

Self-expression

The function of a work of art is to express the emotions and/or thoughts of the artist.

·     Confuses a possible function of a work of art for an artist (the producer) with the function of a work of art for the perceiver (the consumer).

·     Regards art as psychological therapy for artists.

·     Makes art judgments dependent on knowledge about the artist.

Emotional Evocation

The function of a work of art is to evoke intended emotions in the perceiver.

·     Is broader than the Catharsis Induction theory.

·     Doesn't allow that art might appeal more to the intellect than emotions.

Emotional Expression

The function of a work of art is to express emotions.

·     The emotions expressed need not be evoked in the perceiver.

·     Allows that works of art may resemble emotional outbursts.

Emotional Formulation and Representation

The function of a work of art is to formulate and represent emotions.

·     Asserts that the function of art is not to induce emotions or express them but to formulate them.

·     Claims that works of art are for intellectual appreciation.

·     Was proposed by Susanne K. Langer.

Meaning-world

The function of a work of art is to convey artistic meaning, a special sort of meaning, by embodying a meaning-world.

·     A meaning-world is a special plexus of ideas.

·     Regards art as contributing to a rich mental life.

·     Is a recent theory proposed by Ralf J. Long.