Essentialism is the idea that objects have essences and that it is possible to separate their essential qualities from their more superficial or accidental qualities. Essentialism in art is when artists in attempt to get at the 'truth' of an object. For instance, a painter might depict a cityscape as a simplified framework of horizontal and vertical lines, in an effort to depict the essence of the scene.
Essentialism is one of the ideas behind Abstract Art. Some historians feel that the abstract artist Mondrian painted the world around him in an essentialist way. His painting, The Trees (1912) is made up of lines and half circles. On the surface, it looks nothing like a group of trees. Yet, it evokes a sense of a forest. In this way, Mondrian has portrayed the essence of the trees.
Essentialism contrasts with another idea behind Abstract Art – the notion that paintings should not depict the essences of objects, but rather, the imagination of the artist. The abstract artist Kadinsky felt that paintings should depict the artist's inner feelings, rather than the essences of objects.
Essentialism is one of the ideas behind Abstract Art. Some historians feel that the abstract artist Mondrian painted the world around him in an essentialist way. His painting, The Trees (1912) is made up of lines and half circles. On the surface, it looks nothing like a group of trees. Yet, it evokes a sense of a forest. In this way, Mondrian has portrayed the essence of the trees.
Essentialism contrasts with another idea behind Abstract Art – the notion that paintings should not depict the essences of objects, but rather, the imagination of the artist. The abstract artist Kadinsky felt that paintings should depict the artist's inner feelings, rather than the essences of objects.
