Question

What do you see when you look at abstract (抽象) art? Does it make sense to you? Does it look like anything?

Abstract art became popular in the early 20th century. Artists did not want to paint, draw, or sculpt things like they looked. They didn’t want their art to be realistic (现实的). They were more interested in basic shapes（基础的造型） and colours.

Picasso is probably the most famous of these artists. He painted and drew in many, many styles. Sometimes he used a lot of blue colours (his “blue period”). Later, he used more red and pink colours (his “rose period”). Many of his other paintings are called “cubist (立体画派)” because they are made of painted squares.

After a long time, Picasso’s paintings became more and more abstract. He painted people and things using strange shapes. His work was so original, many his fellow artists didn’t understand it.

Kindinsky, another famous artist, used lines, shapes, and patterns to paint his subjects. His paintings also used strong colours to express feelings.

Other artists like the surrealists (超现实主义者), they were interested in the subconscious (潜意识). Painters like Breton and Magritte used many symbols (象征) in their work. The meaning or subject of their work wasn’t always clear. Dai, another artist, painted pictures that looked like dreams.

There are still many abstract artists around the world. It's often hard to say what their art is about. That’s the way many artists like better. They want each person to look at art and find their own meaning in it.

1.Which would be most like abstract art?

A. a painting of a horse

B. a sculpture(雕塑) of a car

C. a drawing of two people in a coffee house.

D. A red and blue painting, with no clear subject.

2.What happened to Picasso’s work after a long time?

A. It became more abstract.

B. It became less original.

C. He went from using red colours to using blue colours

D. He only painted with coloured squares

3.Who is probably the most famous abstract artist?

A. Breton B. Dali. C. Picasso D. Magritte

4.Which of the following is Not true?

A. Picasso painted in many different styles.

B. Dali was interested in dreams.

C. Abstract artists feel each work of art only has one meaning

D. Magritte’s art was full of symbols.

Answer 1