Testadura's View

In “The Artworld” written by philosopher Arthur Danto a character by the name of Testadura is introduced. Testadura is Italian for “hard head” and throughout the literary piece it becomes clear that Testadura lives up to his name. Danto has Testadura look at two paintings by the artists Robert Rauschenberg and Claes Oldenberg which both depict beds. Testadura, being hard-headed just as his name, is strongly set in his opinions of what the paintings are. However, Danto feels that when Testadura views the artwork he is making mistakes, but he is also correct about some of what he has to say according to his theory of art. The author of “The Artworld”, Danto, uses his character Testadura along with Testadura’s views both right and wrong to explain the complex theory of art.
While Rauschenberg and Oldenberg both depict beds they do so in a different way. It is important to note that Oldenberg’s bed is very realistically depicted. The bed is viewed with the surrounding room visible which appears to be a bedroom. The only thing that seems out of the ordinary for a bed is the diagonal end placed upon the end. It is quite easy to see why Testadura argues that this bed is only a bed when viewing this work of art. However, Rauschenberg’s painting differs more from the mental image of a bed most of us picture. The bed depicted by Rauschenberg, “…hangs on a wall, and is streaked by some desultory house paint” (Danto 205). The upright bed is not functional in the sense a physical bed is expected to be. It is common for the viewer separate from the Artworld to question things about this bed like how the bedding and pillows stay in their correct places while the bed is upright. It is also common for those to wonder why the bed has been splashed...

... middle of paper ...

...ies which proves the need for the existence and the truth of the reality theory of art. There are no artistic realities without the RT, therefore as Danto feels, it is necessary.
Danto uses Testadura as well as his correct and incorrect ideas in “The Artworld” to explain the complex theory of art while subtly, but significantly, showing his point of view. It is only through the art works of Rauschenberg and Oldenburg that the concepts of the imitation theory and the modern reality are introduced as well as the views of Danto being conveyed to those reading. These views are important to understanding and appreciating modern art. They inform the reader that rejection of theories of art happen and will continue to happen as long as there are theories or art. Testadura may be “hard headed”, but it is this quality that helps to better educate people in “The Artworld”.