(WAAC) Why look at art?

Why look at art?

Please watch the video below on why we look at art:

How to Study Art History

Art historians employ a number of methods in their research into the qualities, nature and history of objects.

Art historians often examine work in the context of its time. At best, this is done in a manner that respects its creator's motivations with consideration of the desires and prejudices of its patrons with a comparative analysis of themes and approaches of the artist's colleagues and teachers and with consideration of iconography and symbolism. In short, this approach examines the work of art in the context of the world within which it was created. -"Art History"

Art historians also often examine work through an analysis of form. That is, the creator's use of line, shape, color, texture, value, and composition. This formalist approach examines how the artist uses a two-dimensional picture plane or the three dimensional space to create art.

The way these individual elements are employed results in representational or non- representational art. Is the artist imitating an object or image found in nature? If so, it is representational. The closer the art hews to perfect imitation, the more the art is realistic. Is the artist not imitating, but instead relying on symbolism, or in an important way striving to capture nature's essence, rather than copy it directly? If so the art is non-representational - also called abstract. Realism and abstraction exist on a continuum. Impressionism is an example of a representational style that was not directly imitative, but strove to create an impression of nature. If the work is not representational and is an expression of the artist's feelings, longings and aspirations, or is a search for ideals of beauty and form, the work is non-representational or a work of expression. -"Art History"

An iconographical analysis is one that focuses on particular design elements of an object. Through an analysis of such elements, it is possible to trace its history, and with it draw conclusions regarding the origins and trajectory of these motifs. In turn, it is possible to make observations regarding the social, cultural, economic, and aesthetic values of those who created the work of art.

Many art historians use critical theory to guide their inquiries into objects. Theory is most often used when dealing with more recent objects, like those from the late 19th century to now. Critical theory in art history is often borrowed from literary scholars, and it involves the application of a non-artistic analytical framework to the study of art objects. Feminist, Marxist, and postcolonial theories are all well-known theories in art history.

 

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION