Understanding artworks from Danto’s philosophy of art: a Peircean semiotic approach

Abstract

Arthur Danto’s philosophy of art contributes significantly to diverse perspectives that seek to understand the nature and significance of artistic creations, offering unique insights into the interpretation and meaning of artworks. This paper aims to examine Danto’s philosophy of art by employing the semiotic framework developed by Charles Sanders Peirce and applying it to the analysis of three famous artworks. By integrating Peirce’s semiotics with Danto’s ideas, we seek to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of art, its interpretation, and the significance it holds within the “artworld.” This exploration highlights the complementary aspects of Peirce’s semiotics and Danto’s philosophy of art, shedding light on the multifaceted realm of artistic expression.