ART Critique
Process
• Art Critiquing
process is
about
organizing
your thoughts
about a
particular
piece of art.
4 Areas
•
•
•
•
Description
Analysis
Interpretation
Judge
Art Language
• In order to talk
intelligently about
the art you need
to be familiar with
the art language
• Elements
• Principles
Description
• Describe the work without using value words
such as "beautiful" or "ugly":
• What is the written description on the label or in
the program about the work?
• What is the title and who is (are) the artist(s)?
• When and where was the work created?
• Describe the elements of the work (i.e., line
movement, light, space).
• Describe the technical qualities of the work
(i.e., tools, materials, instruments).
• Describe the subject matter. What is it all
about? Are there recognizable images?
Is this work abstract? Is it Realistic?
• 1- This is a painting by Jasper Johns.
2- It was painted in 1939.
3- The artist uses different tints of
blue, golden yellow and red.
4- The painting shows overlapping
numbers.
5- The painting is called Numbers.
6- The numbers take up most of the
canvas.
Jasper Johns (American) b.1930,
Numbers 1939, Oil on wood
• Many of the facts come from
the information found in the
Credit Line. Other facts came
from looking at the work and
describing what is there.
• Can you think of any other
informational statements you
could make about this
painting?
Description
•the idealist
• 8x10
•oil on canvas
Analysis
• Describe how the work is organized as a
complete composition:
• How is the work constructed or planned (i.e.,
acts, movements, lines)?
• Identify some of the similarities throughout the
work (i.e., repetition of lines, two songs in each
act).
• Identify some of the points of emphasis in the
work (i.e., specific scene, figure, movement).
• If the work has subjects or characters, what are
the relationships between or among them
Composition, or how the different Elements of
Art and the subjects are arranged in a work of
art, should also be considered when making an
Analysis.
How is this work composed?
Look at this work by American artist Edward
Hopper. Using the checklist, how did Hopper
organize the
Elements of Art and the Principles of Design
in this work?
Edward Hopper (American) Nighthawks 1942
Oil on Canvas 30 x 60 inches
Composition
• Look at how the artist
broke up the canvas into
a series of horizontal
and vertical lines.
• Notice that the lines and
the shapes made by the
lines create an
organized and balanced
composition.
•Now look at the area highlighted in red.
•Hopper chose to place the four figures to the right side of the
painting.
• He also chose to light up this area. The additional light draws
the eye to this section.
Analysis
Interpretation
• Describe how the work makes you think or feel:
• Describe the expressive qualities you find in
the work. What expressive language would you
use to describe the qualities (i.e., tragic, ugly,
funny)?
• Does the work remind you of other things you
have experienced (i.e., analogy or metaphor)?
• How does the work relate to other ideas or
events in the world and/or in your other studies?
Paper Boats. What was the artist trying to say to us?
Which Elements of Art and Principles of Design does he
use to express his meaning?
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Notice that the boys' three bodies form a
triangle. A triangle represents stability and
solidness. These boys appear to be very
comfortable playing next to each other. The
bodies form a balanced composition.
Lawrence uses Primary Colors to create a
sense of simplicity. This adds to the fact that
these boys are doing what boys everywhere
do: They are playing together building paper
boats.
The ideas of the simple activity of playing is
emphasized by Lawrence's treatment of the
background. There are areas or shapes of
pure color. Very little detail has been painted
in the background.
Notice the use of strong horizontal and
vertical lines. He uses these lines to create
a sense of space in the picture.
The boys are obviously very involved in the
boats. All of the boys are looking down at
the boats. It appears as if they are going to
race them for fun.
I think this is a picture of an
urban environment because of
the fire escape in the
background. Often city children
would build paper boats and race
them in the street gutters after a
rain.
Interpretation
Michele Zarb
Following the
Circle
Mixed Media
16"(H) x 10"(W)
Judgment or Evaluation
• Present your opinion of the work's success or
failure:
• What qualities of the work make you feel it is
a success or failure?
• Compare it with similar works that you think are
good or bad.
• What criteria can you list to help others judge
this work?
• How original is the work? Why do you feel this
work is original or not original?
Look very carefully at this painting
• . Do you see Magritte's
illusion?
• Do you like works that make
you think?
• Why do you think this painting
was titled The Human
Condition? Can you see the
symbolism in the painting by
the window becoming part of
the background?
• Have you ever felt that you
were unnoticed?
• Do you like this painting? If you
could re-title the piece, what
would you call it? Why?
Rene Magritte, (Belgium)
1898-1967,
The Human Condition,
Judgment
• Portrait of
an Old
Man
• Oil on
canvas