Art

Analysis
aka Art Criticism

Building an
Informed Response

Understanding Art Analysis

Art criticism is studying, understanding, and judging works of
art.

Mark Tansey, An Innocent Eye Test, 1981

Oil on canvas, 78 x 120

Solving art mysteries is one of the jobs that art critics set out
to accomplish.
What if you dont know what an artwork is
communicating?

How can you figure it out?

Following the steps of art criticism can help you discover lots
of clues to really understand and appreciate a work of art.

The Steps of Art Analysis

Description: What do I see?
Formal Analysis: How is the work
organized?
Interpretation: What is the artist trying to
communicate?
Judgment: Is this a successful work of
art?

Description
To begin critiquing an artwork, make a list
of all the things you see in the work. This
step is meant to slow your pace. Slowing
down helps you notice things you might
otherwise miss. During this step you must
be objective. In other words, give only the
facts. Start by introducing the artist, the
title of the work and the date. Also include
the medium used and a description of the
size of the work.

Ron Mueck, Boy, 2000

Fiberglass, silicone and resin, 16 feet

Now its your turn Description

- Introduce the artists name, title
of the artwork, and year it was
made, along with the materials it
was made from and its size
- Describe what you see

Ron Mueck, Angel, 1997

Silicone rubber and mixed media, 43 x 34 x 32"

Formal Analysis
During step 2 you are still collecting facts.
However, now you will pay attention to the
elements of art and principles of design
and see how the artist has used each.
elements (what makes up a work of art - Line,
Shape, Form, Space, Color, Value and
Texture)
principles (how the elements have been
arranged within an artwork - Proportion,
Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm/Movement,
Pattern, Unity and Variety).

M.C. Escher, Drawing Hands, 1948

Lithograph, 11 1/8 x 13 1/8

Now its your turn Formal

Analysis
-What
elements,
principles, and
art
conventions/
styles were
used by the
artist?
- How are the
elements and
principles
organized and
arranged in this
work?
Edward Burtynsky, Nickel Tailings No. 31, 1996
Chromogenic color print, 40 x 60

Interpretation
During step 3, you have two questions to
answer: "What is happening?" and "What is the
artist trying to say?" You will interpret (explain or
tell the meaning of) the work. It is here that you
can make educated guesses.
How you interpret a work of art will depend on
what you have done and seen in your life.
However, your interpretation should be based
upon the facts and clues you collected during
the first two steps. Your interpretation can
express your feelings, but your feelings must be
backed up by observation.

Brian Jungen uses sports

paraphernalia to create sculptures out
of catchers mitts, baseball bats, and
basketball jerseys. Jungen has stated
that it is a deliberate choice to create
works out of materials produced by
the sports industry; an industry that
appropriates Aboriginal terminology,
such as the team names The Chiefs,
Indians, Redskins and Braves.
"I felt that if these professional sports
teams felt that they had every right to
use this terminology, then I had every
right to exploit their materials for my
artwork," Jungen says.
Brian Jungen, The Prince, 2006
Baseball gloves and dress form
82 x 24 x 19.5

Now its your turn Interpretation

Brian Jungen, Shapeshifter, 2000

Plastic chairs, 57 x 260 x 52
- What do you think the subject matter and meaning is? Why do you think this?
- What do you think the artist was trying to communicate to the viewer/ Why do you
think this?
- What might have influenced this work

Judgment
In step 4 you will judge whether or not the
work succeeds or fails. This is the time to
give your opinions. No one can ever tell
you what to like or dislike. You must make
up your own mind. To make a good
judgment you need to be honest with
yourself. You need to know why you feel
the way you do. Again, you also need to
give reasons for your opinions.

The friend (the spider

why the spider?) because
my best friend was my
mother and she was
deliberate, clever, patient,
soothing, reasonable,
dainty, subtle,
indispensable, neat, and
as useful as a spider. She
could also defend herself,
and me, by refusing to
answer stupid,
inquisitive, embarrassing,
personal questions.
- Louise Bourgeois

Louise Bourgeois, Maman, 1999 (cast

2003)
Bronze, stainless steel, and marble, 30.4
x 29.2 x 33.6

Now its your turn Judgment

- Has the artist been
successful in selecting and
combining the elements and
principles to achieve the
intended effect in this
artwork? What works well in
the composition?
- What doesnt work well in
the composition? Describe
the parts that dont seem to
fit together.

Greg Payce, Passion sur Raison ou Raison sur

Passion?, 2008

- Have you changed your

point of view about this
artwork as a result of
following the critical thinking
steps? If so, why? What is
the difference between your
first impression and your
current judgment?