ART CRITICISM

AND
AESTHETIC JUDGMENT
Work Sheet

Artist: Medium:

Title: Size:

Using the outline below, proceed through the four steps of art criticism we have learned and
practiced in class. Write down your responses. Be thoughtful and thorough, expressing yourself in full
sentences.

DESCRIPTION: List everything you see in work. This step focuses only on what you see - what is visible
and obvious - no guesses!

ANALYSIS: Look at the work of art and consider it in terms of how the artist used the elements of art and
principles of design to help him express his “message” to the world. One or more should be noticeable with
careful observation and a little thought.

INTERPRETATION: Now is the time to “read” the work for its content, or message. Look carefully at the
things you pointed out in the Description step, and considering all that you see, try to guess what the artist is
trying to express or “say” in this work.
Your interpretation should be based upon the facts and clues you collected during the first two steps.

JUDGMENT: This is the time to give your opinions. You need to know why you feel the way you do,
because your feelings about something play a large part in whether you like or dislike it. Make your decision
based on your observations, thoughts and feelings.

1. Do you like the work, or dislike it?

2. Why?

OVER
 AESTHETIC JUDGMENT

WEBSTER’S College Dictionary:

aesthetics, n. 1. the branch of philosophy dealing with taste and the study of beauty in nature and art.
2. a particular theory of beauty or fine art.

Discuss this work of art in relation to the three aesthetic theories we covered in class.
Look closely - Be thoughtful - Answer every question

IMITATIONALISM: Based on the literal qualities (what you see),

1. Does the piece imitate the real world?

2. To what degree, if any?

FORMALISM: Based on the visual qualities in this work of art,

1. Identify one element of art or principle of design that you particularly notice while you look at the
piece of art.

2. In your opinion, how does the way the artist use of this element or principle contribute to the
composition, message or meaning?

EMOTIONALISM: Based on the expressive qualities in this work of art,

1. In your opinion, what (if anything) creates a sense of emotion or feeling in this work of art?
Be detailed in your answer.

Finally, which theory of art do you feel is most evident in this work?
✎ Do you think the artist was focusing most on the IMITATIONAL qualities, because it
looks so realistic and natural?
✎ Or possibly you think the elements or principles (FORMAL QUALITIES) were the
motivating forces behind this work or art because it is so abstract or simplified?
✎ Or do you think EMOTIONALISM was of most importance to the artist, because the
work has such powerful feeling or message in it?
Explain your answer.