1. Art History Using Art History Art Criticism Aesthetics
Learning how to use the Art History and Art Criticism
method to investigate a piece of art

2. How to Learn About a Picture
Using
Art Criticism:
Learning from works of Art Art History:
Learning about works of Art
And/Or

3. A Sequence of Art-Criticism and Art-History Operations Analysis
(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.
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.

4. Art History Art Criticism Both use the same operations, but in different ways
External cues: learn about the artist, and other works that they have done. Consult three or more books about the artist.
Description, analysis, interpretation, judgment
Internal cues:learn from the art work itself carefully study the work of art itself
Description, analysis,interpretation judgment

5. View of Salisbury Cathedral
For this lesson use:
View of Salisbury Cathedral
By John Constable

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

8. Description
Carefully observe the work of art, and write down everything that you see: include - things, colors, textures, elements….

9. Description
Cathedral
Trees
Clouds
Dappled sunlight
You do lots more!

10. Analysis
Use the design chart to see how the principles of art have been used to arrange the elements of art. Start with #1,( what do you see first?) then #2, and so on until you do four. Describe under each what you see and why.

11. Design Chart Principles of art Elements of Art
Balance
Emphasis
Harmony
Variety
Gradation
MovementRhythm
Proportion
Color/Hue
Intensity
Value
(Non-color
Line
Texture
Shape/ form
Space
Elements of Art
If you can’t remember what each thing is consult your book

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

13. Descriptions of my Analysis
#1: there are a variety of textures. Look at the trees, the church, the dappled sunlight. Each is described beautifully.
#2: there is an emphasis in the shape/form of the church. It pulls your eye right into the picture.
And so on…….

14. Interpretation
Moods, feelings and ideas communicated by the work

15. Theories of Art Aesthetic qualities
imitationalism
Formalism
Emotionalism
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
Aesthetic
qualities
Choose one or more that pertains to your piece of art

16. I chose Imitationalism
Next, present your reason for choosing that theory of art.
I chose imitationalism because it is a pretty picture. He isn’t trying to tell me anything,(as in emotionalism) and the formal structure or design quality is successful, but not as important (as in formalism) it is just a soothing picture of an English country side

17. Judgment Decision making about the work’s artistic merit
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

18. Using the Art History Method
Be sure to consult at least three books,
you are looking now for external cues
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.
We will use the same 4 methods that you used in
Art Criticism, but in different ways.: Description,
Analysis, Interpretation, and Judgment

19. Description Determine: When, Where, and by Whom the Work was done.
This 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.

20. By investigating his history, I was able to find
“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

21. Analysis Discovering the Unique Features of a
Work of Art: identify the unique features to determine artistic style-go through lots of books and read about the artist to see where he developed his style, and what his style is.

22. Unique Features: John Constable formed his own way of looking at things among the trees and meadows of the English countryside. He wanted to paint the sky, meadows, hills and streams as the eye actually sees them. He wanted to capture the light and warmth of the sun, motion of the clouds and rains. During walks, he would carry a sketch book, and draw his landscapes from different angles, and refer often to his notes when he was painting inside.Lots more can be said! His Style: John Constable was an English Landscape painter.

23. Interpretation: Learn how time and place influenced the artist- Find out who he studied with, who influenced him, and who his contemporaries were. Consult more books!

24. Constable did not become a serious art student until 1799, and was in his fifties before he won a gold medal at the Paris Salon in In his own land, however, very few people appreciated his work, and had to supplement his work with portraits. One of his best supporters was his wife, who encouraged him. Contemporaries were Friedrich, Allston,and Turner(only Turner was English ) He greatly influenced Delacroix. And on, and on.

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

26. Besides the intrinsic merit of his work, he also historically important for the effect he had on both the Romantic and Impressionist groups. The spontaneity of such painters as Delacrsix may be traced partly to Constable: and the Impressionist search for momentary effects through broken colors, etc. owes much to this British painter.