Masters Theses

Karen B. Nolt

Date of Award

12-1985

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Philosophy

Major Professor

Kathleen A. Emmett

Abstract

This thesis investigates the problem of how paintings can be said to mean. It is a philosophic project concerning the nature of pictorial meaning. Three approaches are developed.

First, a formal system of pictorial meaning is developed based on a Fregean model of linguistic meaning which distinguishes between sense and reference. The resulting formal system concerns the distinction between content and subject matter. Three levels of interpretation are analyzed based on the way in which the subject matter is picked out by the content. The formal interpretation picks out the perceptual aspects of the painting such as color, shape, line, texture, light, and arrangement. The literal interpretation is determined by an image which refers to visual types of objects in the world. The subject matter referred to is thus represented in the image. The metaphoric interpretation is determined by non-visual properties of the subject matter. The subject matter referred to is not represented in the image, but is referred to by extension or symbolism.

The second approach is based on the phenomenoIogicaI framework of Edmund Husserl. It is a view of pictorial meaning which is based on a subject's consciousness, such that the ground for pictorial meaning is the subject's intentionality. The structure of intentionality is seen as a conscious act which orders experiences into meaningful presentations called noematic Sinne. Husserl held that these same entitles are expressed in language as Fregean senses. This bridges the gap between the formal and phenomenoIgicaI systems.

The third approach is based on the presupposition that understanding others' intentions is important. Given the framework of pictorial meaning as based on intentionality, 1 argue that the primary interpretation should be based on the artist's intentionality, such that we come to understand the artist and his world when we attempt to understand the meaning of the artist's paintings.

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