Pictorial interpretations on animal figures used as decorative ornament elements

This research focuses on how animal figures, which hold a significant place as symbolic and formal elements in the art of painting, have emerged as decorative motifs throughout history and the factors that have influenced their development. The instinctive human desire for ornamentation has led creative minds, driven by aesthetic concerns, to use animal figures as decorative elements. These embellishments have appeared as symbolic animal depictions in various fields throughout different historical periods and cultures, including architecture, sculpture, carpet and rug motifs, ceramics and tiles, and everyday objects. These works are examined in terms of the changes they underwent over time and the factors that influenced them. In light of the existing literature, the research aims to answer the question of which factors and interactions caused decorative animal motifs to evolve. As artistic expressions, animal figures have been modernized or stylized and used as decorative elements throughout the ages. Taking into consideration the religious differences, geographical variations, and symbolic interpretations over time, this thesis aims to reveal the place and importance of animal figures in contemporary art by analyzing how they achieved universal significance through stylization and reinterpretation. The core issue of this research is to explore the meanings attributed to decorative animal figures, which are key elements of symbolic expression, in the art of painting. This thesis consists of four chapters. The first chapter explains the problem statement, scope, significance, aim, method, and limitations of the study. The second chapter discusses the role of animal figures in artistic productions. The third chapter explores the intellectual and emotional foundations that shaped the author's work, and includes painting practices and analyses conducted within the scope of the thesis. A total of ten oil paintings on canvas have been created as part of the thesis work.