Tucker Gravatt
Holly Springs High School
Art Work Critique and FORMAL ANALYSIS
There are Four levels of formal analysis, which you can use to explain a work of art:
1. Description = pure description of the object without value judgments,
analysis, or interpretation.
It answers the question, "What do you see?"
The various elements that constitute a description include:
a. Form of art whether architecture, sculpture, painting or one of the minor arts
b. Medium of work whether clay, stone, steel, paint, etc., and technique (tools used)
c. Size and scale of work (relationship to person and/or frame and/or context)
d. Elements or general shapes (architectural structural system) within the composition,
including building of post-lintel construction or painting with several figures lined up in
a row; identification of objects
e. Description of axis whether vertical, diagonal, horizontal, etc.
f. Description of line, including contour as soft, planar, jagged, etc.
g. Description of how line describes shape and space (volume); distinguish between
lines of objects and lines of composition, e.g., thick, thin, variable, irregular, intermittent,
indistinct, etc.
h. Relationships between shapes, e.g., large and small, overlapping, etc.
i. Description of color and color scheme = palette
j. Texture of surface or other comments about execution of work
k. Context of object: original location and date
2. Analysis = determining what the features suggest and deciding why the artist used
such features to convey specific ideas.
It answers the question, "How did the artist do it?"
The various elements that constitute analysis include:
a. Determination of subject matter through naming iconographic elements, e.g.,
historical event, allegory, mythology, etc.
b. Selection of most distinctive features or characteristics whether line, shape, color,
texture, etc.
c. Analysis of the principles of design or composition, e.g., stable,
repetitious, rhythmic, unified, symmetrical, harmonious, geometric, varied, chaotic,
horizontal or vertically oriented, etc.
d. Discussion of how elements or structural system contribute to appearance of image or
function
e. Analysis of use of light and role of color, e.g., contrast, shadowy,
illogical, warm, cool, symbolic, etc.
f. Treatment of space and landscape, both real and illusionary (including use of
perspective), e.g., compact, deep, shallow, naturalistic, random
g. Portrayal of movement and how it is achieved
h. Effect of particular medium(s) used
i. Your perceptions of balance, proportion and scale (relationships of each part of the
composition to the whole and to each other part) and your emotional
j. Reaction to object or monument
Tucker Gravatt
Holly Springs High School
3. Interpretation = establishing the broader context for this type of art. *see Barrett’s
Principles of Interpretation below
It answers the question, "Why did the artist create it and what does it mean
The various elements that constitute interpretation include:
a. Main idea, overall meaning of the work.
b. Interpretive Statement: Can I express what I think the artwork is about in one
sentence?
c. Evidence: What evidence inside or outside the artwork supports my interpretation?
4. Judgment: Judging a piece of work means giving it rank in relation to other works
and of course considering a very important aspect of the visual arts; its originality.
Is it a good artwork?
Criteria: What criteria do I think are most appropriate for judging the artwork?
Evidence: What evidence inside or outside the artwork relates to each criterion?
Judgment: Based on the criteria and evidence, what is my judgment about the quality
of the artwork?
SUCCESSFUL ART ENGAGES THE VIEWER
Remember Art is Visual Communication. How is the artwork communicating with you?
Barrett's Principles of Interpretation
1. Artworks have "aboutness" and demand interpretation.
2. Interpretations are persuasive arguments.
3. Some interpretations are better than others.
4. Good interpretations of art tell more about the artwork than they tell about the critic.
5. Feelings are guides to interpretations.
6. There can be different, competing, and contradictory interpretations of the same
artwork.
7. Interpretations are often based on a worldview.
8. Interpretations are not so much absolutely right, but more or less reasonable,
convincing, enlightening, and informative.
9. Interpretations can be judged by coherence, correspondence, and inclusiveness.
10. An artwork is not necessarily about what the artist wanted it to be about.
11. A critic ought not to be the spokesperson for the artist.
12. Interpretations ought to present the work in its best rather than its weakest light.
13. The objects of interpretation are artworks, not artists.
14. All art is in part about the world in which it emerged.
15. All art is in part about other art.
16. No single interpretation is exhaustive of the meaning of an artwork.
17. The meanings of an artwork may be different from its significance to the viewer.
Interpretation is ultimately a communal endeavor, and the community is ultimately selfcorrective.
18. Good interpretations invite us to see for ourselves and to continue on our own.
Barrett, Terry. (1994) Criticizing Art: Understanding the Contemporary. Mountain View,
California: Mayfield Publishing Company.
Tucker Gravatt
Holly Springs High School
How to Critique Artwork Simplified
An art critique is an evaluation of a work of art. While it is true that artistic taste
is relative, there are certain characteristics of artwork that can be assessed as a means of
measuring the artist's success at conveying the intended message or meaning of the work
in question. Art criticism is considered by some to be an art within itself, but, although
each art critique may approach a work of art uniquely, there is a defined protocol for the
discipline of critiquing a work of art. You do not have to be an art history buff or
museum curator to learn how to critique artwork. Just follow these steps.
1 Describe what you see. This is the objective portion of the art critique. It involves a
technical description-nothing more. It should include things like:
 Artist's name.
 Title of work.
 Type of artwork.
 Subject of the painting (scene).
 Objects in the painting.
 First impression. Note the characteristics of the artwork that first jump out at you.
 Colors used.
 Shapes, lines and texture.
 Light saturation.
 Sensory qualities. Identify the predominant mood and visual effect.
Tucker Gravatt
Holly Springs High School
2 Analyze the artwork. Evolve the art criticism from a technical description to an indepth examination of how the technical elements were utilized by the artist to create the
overall impression conveyed by the artwork. Technical elements you need to analyze
when you critique artwork include:
 Color.
 Shapes, forms and lines.
 Texture.
 Light and shadow.
 How each technical element contributes to the mood, meaning and aesthetic
sensation of the artwork.
3 Interpret the artwork. This part of an art critique is more subjective than the others, as
you are expected to use your analysis of the technical aspects of the piece of art to apply
your own supposition to the artist's intended purpose for the artwork. Try to accomplish
the following things when formulating your interpretation:
• Communicate the artist's statement. Describe what you think the artist is trying to
say through the work of art.
 Expound on the feeling conveyed by the artwork. Describe what the artwork means
to you, and why.
 Explain what you feel is the artist's intended purpose for creating that particular
work of art. Examine why the artist made the choices in technique, materials and
subject matter and how they relate to the intended purpose.
 Identify symbols in the artwork and describe how they relate to the artist's technical
choices and contribute to the artist's execution of the intended purpose.
4 Evaluate the artwork. This is a summation of the art criticism process leading up to
this point. Use your analysis and interpretation to draw conclusions and reach judgments
about the artwork.
 State what you think the artwork's value is. For example, its value may be to
evoke nostalgia, to incite anger or to impart beauty. Explain why you feel this
way.
 Describe the artwork's relevance to the art community and to people as a whole.
 Explain where you feel the artwork has strong value and where you think it falls
short.
Tips:
 Remember, there are no incorrect descriptions when you critique artwork. Your goal is
not to say whether or not the art is good, but rather to impart as best you can the visceral
response the artwork incites.
 Use art vocabulary in your art critique.
Reference: www.wikihow.com/critique-artwork