Art Criticism

The 4 Stages of Art Criticism(Feldman Method)

Description: What is the subject matter?

Analysis: How do the elements work?

Interpretation: What is the content?

Judgment: How successful is the artist?

Description

Technical Qualities– materials used (wood, metal, etc.)?– 2-Dimensional or 3-Dimensional?

Recognizable Subject Matter– describe the various recognizable

objects in the work

Non-Representational Art– list the things that are used to create

this image:

• line, color, shape, etc.

Analysis• break down the formal elements

– size, shape, color, texture, space– this can help to figure out the content of the work

Size• biggest object

more important

• observe the size relationships to give you a sense of perspective

ShapeGeometric shape

– implies order – formality

Organic shape– non-geometric – implies natural, flowing

Color• color can affect the

mood of artwork

– bright can imply happy

– muted/monochromatic can imply somber

Texture• tactile/real

• visual/illusionary

Space

shallow

flat

deep

Interpretation• meaning beyond subject matter

Judgment• is it about formal elements only?

• is it meant to evoke emotion?

• is it meant to deliver a message?

David Hockney, Le Parc de Sources (1970)

Content & Image Sources

http://negroartist.com/negro%20artist/elizabeth%20catlett/images/Elizabeth%20Catlett%20Harriet%201975%20linocut_jpg.jpghttp://www.macalester.edu/psychology/whathap/ubnrp/aesthetics/image/compo.jpghttp://www.natureartists.com/art/resized/1370_IMG_1542_Endangered_Whooping_Crane.jpghttp://www.dl.ket.org/webmuseum/wm/paint/auth/matisse/green-stripe/matisse.green-stripe.jpghttp://www.rijksmuseum.nl/images/aria/sk/z/sk-c-251.z?leftcoulissehttp://images.artnet.com/artwork_images/424196454/163290.jpghttp://www.leninimports.com/vincent_van_gogh_gallery_1.jpghttp://viacomit.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/1/mickey_warhol.jpghttp://www.kmwithersfineart.com/supply%20packer%202006.jpghttp://topicstock.pantip.com/chalermthai/topicstock/2008/06/A6714512/A6714512-31.jpghttp://pinguy.infogami.com/blog/vwm6http://www.artofeurope.com/gauguin/gau4.htmhttp://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/imageuploads/1191933113_80.177.117.97.jpg