Overview
Form and Content Analysis
An important skill you will learn in this course is how to describe and interpret a work of visual art. This assignment will help you learn what to look for and what to say when discussing a specific artwork. It is designed to help you look carefully and examine the artwork so that you can develop a more meaningful, thoughtful, and educated opinion.
Look at the painting (below) The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.
Complete the following four sections. Interpret what you see by writing at least 1 sentence for each question.
Section 1 Factual Information (25 points)
Present the FACTUAL INFORMATION relating to the artwork. Include as much of the following information as you can. For full credit, answer at least 4 of the following questions with a minimum of one complete sentence each. Elaborate on your answers as necessary for a thorough description.
- ARTIST(S) - Who made this artwork? Name, collaboration, anonymous, etc.
- DATE - When was it created? Specific date, approximate date, century, etc.
- MEDIA - What is it made out of, or what kind of artwork is it? Drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, etc.
- TECHNIQUE - How was it made? Shading, perspective, glazing, impasto, carving, casting, post-and-lintel, steel frame, etc.
- STYLE - Does this artwork fit into a particular style? Classical, Gothic, Expressionism, Surrealism, Pop, Post-Modern, etc.
Section 2 Art Elements (25 points)
Describe each ART ELEMENT that you see in the artwork. Start with the most prominent element and how that element is primarily used in the artwork. Provide specific examples and include as many as you can. For full credit, answer at least 4 of the following questions with a minimum of one complete sentence each. Elaborate on your answers as necessary for a thorough description.
- LINES - Do you see lines? What kind of lines? Vertical, horizontal, curved, straight, thick, thin, long, short, etc.
- SHAPES - Do you see shapes? What kind of Shapes? Circular, square, triangular, biomorphic, shapes of specific objects, etc.
- TEXTURE - Do you seek texture? What kind of texture? Rough, shiny, wood, skin, water, dots, stripes, etc.
- VALUES (Light and Dark) - Do you see lights and darks? What do they look like? Light, dark, medium, high contrast, blended, etc.
- COLORS - Do you see color? Bright, dull, red, yellow, blue, black, white, etc.
Section 3 Design Qualities (25 points)
Describe each of the DESIGN QUALITIES that you see in the artwork. Start with the most prominent and include as many as you can. For full credit, answer at least 4 of the following questions with a minimum of one complete sentence each. Elaborate on your answers as necessary for a thorough description.
- SIZE - How big is it? Actual measurements, largest part, smallest part, unusual proportions, repeated sizes, etc.
- EMPHASIS - What draws your eye? Most important part, most important art element, etc.
- MOVEMENT - Actual movement, implied movement, up, down, rapid, slow, chaotic, rhythmic, etc.
- SPACE - Actual space, sculptural (3 dimensional), flat (2 dimensional), top, bottom, right, left, center, illusionistic, overlapping, etc.
- OTHER DESIGN PRINCIPLES USED - Balance, Unity, Rhythm, Harmony, Variety, etc.
Section 4 Interpretation of Meaning (25 points)
Discuss the MEANING of the artwork. Consider each of the following and include as many as you can. For full credit, answer at least 4 of the following questions with a minimum of one complete sentence each. Elaborate on your answers as necessary for a thorough description.
- SUBJECT MATTER - What do you see in the artwork? still life, landscape, figure, formal, etc.
- THEME - What is the artist trying to say? Religion, politics, sex, nature, imagination, emotions, etc.
- PURPOSE - Why do you think the artist made this artwork? Decorative, expressive, commercial, etc.
- CULTURAL CONTEXT - What else was going on in the world when the artwork was created? Historical time/place/events significant to the artwork
- PERSONAL RESPONSE - What do you think or feel about the artwork? Emotions, thoughts, ideas, opinions, etc.
[Image unavailable: Painting By Vincent Van Gogh]