Analyzing Art

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BASIC FACTS: 

The artist’s name (if known)
The materials (what is it made of)
The date or time period
The country or region where the work was made

GENRE: Refers to a way of categorizing the work of art either by content or style:
 

CONTENT: the subject of the work of art 

Still Life
Landscape
Portrait
History 
Religious
Fantasy
Narrative  (representing, telling a specific story)
Symbolic  (representation by way of metaphor)
Abstract  (a description of a style that does not represent the visible world) 
Realist  (the image is based on direct observation of the world)
Other (the above are just a few possible genres)

 

STYLE:  the artistic group or movement associated with the work of art based on its particular use of content and composition. i.e. Impressionist, Surrealist, etc.  The name of the work of art's style is sometimes the same as its genre.

 

COMPOSITION: terms that describe the way in which the visual elements are arranged; its ingredients

 

 

Visual Elements 2-dimensional work:

Format:  The shape and orientation of the painting surface (i.e. horizontal rectangle)

 

Color:    

    Hue:  what color it is (i.e. blue)
   Value:  how light or dark the color is (i.e. light blue vs. dark blue)
   Intensity:  how strong or bright a color is (i.e. electric blue vs. baby blue)

Modeling or Shading: using a gradation of color or tone to create the illusion of volume.

Light or Luminosity:  the illusion of light from within the painting that is caused by the contrast of light and dark tones, or by color intensity. 

Scale or Proportion: the relative size of forms .

Gesture:  An expressive movement (i.e. made by a character within the painting or by the artist’s use of materials).

Illusionistic Space:  a manipulation of forms to create the illusion of depth. Ways of creating the illusion of space:
a)    overlapping 
b)    scale changes - larger objects appear closer than smaller ones
c)    color intensity - brighter objects appear closer than duller ones
d)    position - objects placed lower on the canvas often appear closer than higher ones
e)    linear perspective - A tool for creating the illusion of space using a series of lines that converge at a vanishing point.
f)    atmospheric perspective - A tool for creating the illusion of space by differentiating the relative sharpness of objects that are close compared with those at a distance;  also the relative saturation or warmth of color from close proximity to distance

Mark or Brushstroke:  The way the artist records forms with an implement: pencil, brush, etc.

Surface:  the texture created by the way the materials are used. 

Line:  An extended mark. 

Closed Shape:  A form that is bound or enclosed by a definite edge.

Open Shape:  A form whose edges are blurry or indistinct. 

 

Abstract: Art that is either non-representational or conceptual (idea-driven), stressing formal pictorial relationships

 

Hierarchy: the arrangement of elements within and illustration or design according to relative importance.

 

Visual Elements 3-dimensional work:

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material (traditional): stone (specify), wood, ceramic, bronze

sculpture in the round: sculpture that is free-standing (you can view from all sides)

relief sculpture: sculpture carved into the surface and meant to be attached to a wall

 

Scale or Proportion: the relative size of forms .

Gesture:  An expressive movement (i.e. made by a character within the painting or by the artist’s use of materials).

 

Dynamic: sculpture has a sense of movement
kinetic: sculpture is actually in motion

 

Site or setting: where is the sculpture? How does it relate to the space around it?

Mass: sculpture give a sense of heaviness
weightlessness: sculpture gives a sense of lightness

 

Positive/negative space: is the sculpture solid or are there areas where air and light can pass through?

 

Light and shadow: how does light and shadow play over the surface? Does it draw attention to any particular areas.
 
Surface/texture: is the surface smooth, rough, ridged, varied? How does this affect the light and shadow?

 

 

CONTEXT: The circumstances surrounding the creation of the work of art whether they be personal, economic, socio-political in nature.  Think in terms of  local, national, and global circumstances. 

 

INTERPRETATION: The idea or meaning expressed by the work of art in terms of the time and place it was made (historical context).  What does it mean to us now (contemporary context).  Here are some questions to ask yourself.  They may apply to some works of art and not others.The following questions can help:

Is the work of art purely decorative?
Is the work of art a reflection of religious or spiritual beliefs?
Is the work of art a reflection of social values?
Does the work of art reveal injustice?
Is the work of art a reflection of economic values?
Is the work of art an educational tool?
Is the work of art political propaganda?
Is the work of art a precious object?
Is the work of art an expression of aesthetic values?
Is the work of art an expression of the individual’s psyche?

 

Other Descriptive Vocabulary:  Harmony   Unity   Variety   Rhythm   Symmetry Direction   Balance   Tension  Emphasis   Mass   Mood   Heaviness   Delicacy   Claustrophobia   Temperature   Humor   Gravity   Sparseness   Fleshiness   Movement   Dignity   Awkwardness   Grace   Strength   Fragility   Agitation   Repose   Velocity   Shadow   Daylight   Night light   Mockery  Solitude  Monumental   Intimate  Containment. Monolithic

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Analyzing Art Powerpoint

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