Subject Matters

February 4, 2025


Throughout art history, certain themes have remained timeless—the nude, the portrait, the still life, landscapes. These subjects have served as a foundation for many of the world’s greatest artists, from Michelangelo’s muscular figures to Picasso’s fragmented portraits. But in today’s world of constant visual bombardment, where we’re surrounded by an infinite number of images, it’s more important than ever for artists to carve out a unique space for themselves. The question then becomes: how can an artist stand apart from centuries of tradition while still honoring the very forms that have shaped their craft?

Importance of Finding Your Own Subject Matter

When we look back at the pioneers of art—whether it be Rembrandt capturing the intricacies of light in his portraits or Van Gogh exploring the raw emotion of everyday scenes—what we see is a deeply personal engagement with their world. Yes, these artists painted the familiar, but they infused these subjects with something that was distinctly theirs. Their approach wasn’t merely to recreate what they saw but to reframe it through their own eyes, feelings, and personal context.

As an artist today, it’s easy to fall into the trap of revisiting these timeless subjects. After all, they have withstood the test of time. The nude figure, a representation of both beauty and vulnerability, still has immense potential for exploration. The portrait, too, offers endless avenues for capturing the nuances of human identity. These are forms we all know, forms that have inspired countless masterpieces. But simply reinterpreting them or trying to put a new spin on old themes is often not enough to truly distinguish an artist in the modern art world.

To create a work that stands apart, to forge a path that is uniquely your own, an artist must look deeper than just these established forms. Finding your own subject matter is about discovering something that hasn’t yet been fully explored in the visual language of painting. It’s about unearthing the unseen, giving voice to the unnoticed, or capturing the ever-evolving story of our contemporary world.

Reworking the Classics vs. Reinventing the Wheel

It’s not to say that revisiting classic subjects is wrong. There’s a reason they’ve endured for so long. They speak to something universal in the human experience—our bodies, our faces, our environments. But even within these well-trodden paths, there is room for innovation. For instance, a contemporary portrait artist might choose to portray someone in a way that reflects the complexities of the digital age—layers of social media, identity fluidity, or the nature of self-presentation. In this context, the portrait ceases to be a straightforward likeness and instead becomes a commentary on how we see ourselves in a world of constant connectivity.

Similarly, a painter might revisit the nude form, but explore it through the lens of personal identity, vulnerability, and self-awareness. Where the classic nudes of ancient and Renaissance art may have idealized the human body, today’s approach might emphasize the imperfect, the raw, and the emotional.

This kind of reworking is important. But it is still, in a way, a conversation with the past—a dialogue with long-established traditions. What truly takes an artist into uncharted territory is the search for new territory altogether.

Uncovering the Unexplored

So, where does an artist go when they seek to create something entirely fresh and new? They look outward and inward.

Outwardly, they explore the unexamined world around them. Maybe it’s the complexity of modern technology—the way virtual worlds are starting to replace physical reality, or the intersection of humanity and artificial intelligence. Maybe it’s the global movement toward environmental awareness and sustainability, and the stories of species extinction, climate change, or humanity’s relationship to the natural world. By diving into these rich, multifaceted subjects, an artist can bring an entirely new perspective to their work—one that hasn’t been fully explored yet.

Inwardly, they confront their own internal landscape—the emotions, memories, and experiences that shape their identity. An artist who paints their own mental health struggles, their personal history, or their cultural heritage, can create a subject matter that’s specific and singular to them. This is not to say these themes are totally new, but the artist’s unique perspective makes the subject matter feel fresh and deeply personal. Through their eyes, the subject is transformed and becomes an offering for the viewer to engage with on a visceral level.

Breaking the Mold

To truly create a world all their own, artists need to step into the unknown. Rather than simply revisiting what has already been done, embrace the fear of the unfamiliar. It’s by venturing into this uncharted territory—whether it’s examining new technologies, exploring cultural narratives, or expressing raw human experiences—that you open up new realms of possibility. The artist’s role, in this sense, is to act as a mirror to the world but, more importantly, to reflect something that no one has seen before.

As the artist continues to discover new ways of seeing, of telling, and of expressing, their subject matter will evolve. This evolution is crucial because it pushes the boundaries of what is possible in art, it challenges perceptions, and it ultimately enriches the cultural conversation.

Next time you’re in front of the easel, ask yourself: What haven’t you yet painted? What stories are waiting for your unique perspective to bring them into the light? The possibilities are endless—and it’s yours to uncover.