Critiquing a Work of Art

How to write about art An art critique is an evaluation of a work of art. You do not have to be an art history buff or museum curator to learn how to critique artwork -- following defined methods for critiquing will help you to get it right. Art criticism is about critically examining a work (or works) of art. In order to understand art, it is vital that you learn to not only look at the work, but also begin to "see" what the work conveys. In order to fully understand any work of art, it is equally important to research and understand the context in which it was created. By looking at an artist's life history, his/her associations and/or education, you can begin to unravel the mystery behind the lines, shapes, colors, and iconography that the artist has produced.

A formal analysis is the central form of writing about art and often the first taught in any art history course. In a strict formal analysis, the only information required is that which you can see. Although some knowledge of the subject matter helps, the focus should be on the visual Elements and Principles of a work. While any formal analysis must employ a good deal of description, it is important to remember that an analysis must always be thesis driven. Each point should tie back to the overall interpretation of the work.

Please watch this video on describing what you see.

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