GE 105 (Art Appreciation)

Lesson 2: Basic Art Criticism

The Steps in Art Criticism
When we observe art, our minds go through a process. This process naturally translates
into the steps of art criticism. Following these steps will help us evaluate art effectively. It is
important for us to be able to evaluate art.
If we are artists, we must recognize what is good and what is bad, so that we may become
more successful at our craft.
The four steps in art criticism are description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment:
1. Description. The first step in art criticism is description. When we look at a work of art, our
minds naturally take notice of the general information that is present. For example, if we take
The Mona Lisa, we notice, “Hey, this is painting of a woman.” When critiquing, start here with a
simple description of what is seen in the artwork.
Describe: Tell what you see (the visual facts)
Some guides in describing an artwork:
-Name of the artist
-Kind of artwork
-Period when the artwork was created
-Things that you notice first on the artwork
-Kind of colors
-Shapes, Lines, Edges
-Texture
-Overall visual effect or mood
2. Analysis. Analysis refers to how we see the elements and principles of art. In this step, our
minds take in lines, values, and colors of the artwork. We may also take notice of the balance,
proportion, rhythm, and unity found within the work. In a critique, students should point out
what is happening with these specific elements and principles. Many times, the formal qualities
of the artwork are what makes the art successful. Students should understand how these qualities
work and what makes them successful in the artwork. They should also be able to discern when
these formal qualities are unsuccessful as well.
Analyze: Mentally separate the parts or elements, thinking in terms of texture, shapes/forms,
light/dark or bright dull colors, types of lines, and sensory qualities. In this step consider the
most significant art principles that were used in the artwork. Describe how the artist used them to
organize the elements.
3. Interpretation. Often times, students will automatically skip to this step. We look for
meaning in everything, so this is natural. In this step, we explore the meaning of the artwork.
What is the artist trying to communicate us? There are no wrong responses here.
Interpret: Explain the meaning of the work based on what you have learned so far about the
artwork, what do you think the artist was trying to say?
Some guides in interpreting an artwork:
-Artist’s statement
-Meaning of the artwork
-Personal meaning, how you can relate as a spectator
-Feelings expressed through the artwork
-Things/Views symbolized by the artwork
-Reason behind the creation of the artwork
4. Judgment. The last step in art criticism is judgment. Is this work of an art successful? A work
of art may not be our favorite, but it may still be successful. We must appreciate good art, even if
we do personally do not like it.
Judge: After careful observation, analysis, and interpretation of an artwork, you are ready to
make your own judgment. This is your personal evaluation based on understandings of the
work(s).
Some considerations in judging an artwork:
-The intrinsic value or worth of an artwork
-Artwork’s benefits to others, if there’s any
-What’s lacking to the artwork, if there’s any
Understanding the steps to art criticism and implementing them in a structured way in
critique, will help you create better artwork. (Fussell, “The Steps in Art Criticism”, 2010)