ART CRITICISMART CRITICISM

DESCRIBE

ANALYZE

INTERPRET

JUDGE

DESCRIBING AN ART WORK

Note key facts--the size, medium, and the process used to create the art work. *Info can often be found in the“credit line”

Identify subject matter, objects, and details within the art work. *Not all works have subjects(Non-Objective Art).

What elements are used in the art work? Be objective.

Jaques-Louis David. “Napoleon.” Oil on canvas.

ANALYZING AN ART WORK

While analyzing art a critic focuses on the composition.

Composition--the way the art principles are used to organize the art elements.

Remain objective.

Wassily Kandinsky. “Squares with Concentric Circles.”

INTERPRETING AN ART WORK

The art critic focuses on the content. Content includes the message, idea,

feeling, or mood expressed through the art work.

Interpretations vary from critic to critic. An interpretation is subjective.

Salvador Dali. “Metamorphosis of Narcissus.” 1936-37. Oil on panel.

JUDGING AN ART WORK

Is this a successful work of art? The answer depends on the critic’s

aesthetic view. Aesthetic View--an idea, or school of

thought, on what is important in a work of art.

Juan Gris. “Breakfast.” 1914. Cut and pasted paper, crayon, and oil over canvas.

31 7/8 x 23 1/2”. The museum of Modern Art, New York, New York.

THREE COMMON AESTHETIC VIEWS The Subject View--a successful work is one

with a lifelike subject. The Composition View--success is

determined by the artist’s use of the elements and principles to create a visually pleasing design.

The Content View--a successful artwork communicates a certain mood or feeling.

Art critics do not limit themselves to a single aesthetic view.

How might your aesthetic view influence your opinions about each of these artworks?