Learning how to use the Art History and Art Criticism method to investigate a piece of art

Using And/Or

Art Criticism (First) Description Analysis Interpretation Judgment Subject matter and/or elements of Art noted in the work. Write down Everything that you see in the art Organization: use the Design Chart to see how the principles of art have been used to arrange the elements of art. Use the Theory of Art Chart to see which feeling, moods or ideas are communicated by the work of art Now decide by combining all these steps, whether this is a successful piece of art. Art History Determine when, where, And by whom the work was done/3 books Identify unique features of the artist’s work to determine artistic style Learn how time and place influenced the artist. ( Ie was there a war/hardships?) Make a decision about the work’s importance in the history of art. A Sequence of Art-Criticism and Art-History Operations * PRINT THIS FOR REFERENCE.

v Internal cues:learn from the art work itself carefully study the work of art itself v Description, analysis,interpretation judgment

Using the Art Criticism Method Always do this method first, before you read anything About the work of art

Balance Emphasis HarmonyVariety GradationMovement Rhythm Proportion Color/Hue Intensity Value (Non-color Line Texture Shape/ form Space Principles of art Elements of Art If you can’t remember what each thing is consult your book * PRINT THIS FOR WORKING.

Design Chart Balance Emphasis HarmonyVariety GradationMovement Rhythm Proportion Color/Hue Intensity Value (Non-color Line Texture X #1 Shape/ form X #2 Space X #3 Principles of art Elements of Art These are a few of my Choices for “View of Salisbury Cathedral”

imitationalismFormalismEmotionalism Literal qualities: Realistic presentation of subject matter Design qualities: Effective organization of the elements of art through the principles of art Expressive qualities: Vivid communication of moods, feelings, and ideas Theories of Art Aesthetic qualities Choose one or more that pertains to your piece of art

During the description step, I was impressed by the literal qualities of the work. I was impressed also with the authentic look or the English country side. The church, the small figures and the dappled sunlight coming through the trees. The clouds made it look like a beautiful summer day. The textures depicted in the painting were very real. Clearly, considering all of the steps taken in examining This piece of art, I would consider this is a excellent piece of art

Using the Art History Method  Remember that you are doing the art history on not only the art work, but also the artist. So you must do your research on the artist. vBe sure to consult at least three books, you are looking now for external cues. And there are web sites that review works of art!  We will use the same 4 methods that you used in Art Criticism, but in different ways.: Description, Analysis, Interpretation, and Judgment

Description  Determine: When, Where, and by Whom the Work was done. vThis information can usually be found by the Photograph of the picture. However it won’t tell Where it was painted, only where it is now.

“A View of Salisbury Cathedral”: was painted in 1825 by John Constable. By investigating his history, I was able to find out that he painted it in Salisbury, England

Make a decision about the work’s importance in the history of art.