READING AND UNDERSTANDING

VISUAL ARTS
Visual analysis identifies and explores
characteristics of example material and
relationships within the context in
which they were produced and
encountered
How to Analyze
an Artwork
 ANALYZING ART
Objective (Or Visual)
- describes the elements as they are viewed

Subjective (Or Symbolic)

-which describes our feelings when viewing the work

A Formal Point Of View (Or Aesthetic)

-analyses all the visual syntax (composition), including historical
context, theme, and organization of the elements
 Base Elements
Therefore, certain common criteria must be taken into account:

• time,
• technique,
• theme,
• Resources used by the artist
 Research

1) Gather data on the author

2) Recognize the subject

3) Analyze the subject

 Meanings
Conclude with an analysis of meanings (real or symbolic) of the
piece in question.

We should base this analysis on our research, on the symbols

and iconography present in the work of art and, eventually, on
the comparison with works by the same author and period.
 Understanding
and
Analyzing Visual Arts
1.Theme-
Relates to the meaning of painting, rather than the subject, which
is specific and basic. The theme can be usually about life, society
or Human nature, but can be any other subject.

2. Mood
Is the atmosphere in the artwork or the feeling expressed
3. Tone
Refers to the lightness or darkness of color used, which can help
to create sense of depth or distance in art.

4. Composition
Is the underlying structure of the art, it refers to where the artist
placed the subject matter.
The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli in 1781
Analyzing an Art Work
(Art Criticism)
-A step by step guide-
 1. Description
( It answers the question “what do you see?”)

Pure description of the object without value judgement

(Elements of Art)
 2. Analyze
( It answers the question “how did the artist
do it”

Determining what the features suggests and

deciding why the artist used such features to
convey specific ideas.
 3. Interpretation

It answers the question

“What is the artist trying to say?”
“What is going on in the picture?”
 4. Evaluation

“What do I think about this artwork?”

Based upon what you’ve observed already,
give your opinion of the artwork. You MUST
give reason.
Art
Comprehension
and Analysis
Exercise
Art Comprehension and Analysis
1. What do you see?
2. What is the art trying to say?
3. What is going on in the picture?
4. What do you think about this work?
Art Comprehension and Analysis
1. What do you see?
2. What is the art trying to say?
3. What is going on in the picture?
4. What do you think about this work?
Art Comprehension and Analysis
1. What do you see?
2. What is the art trying to say?
3. What is going on in the picture?
4. What do you think about this work?
Art Comprehension and Analysis
1. What do you see?
2. What is the art trying to say?
3. What is going on in the picture?
4. What do you think about this work?
Art Comprehension and Analysis
1. What do you see?
2. What is the art trying to say?
3. What is going on in the picture?
4. What do you think about this work?
Thank you!
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