Evaluating Evaluating Works Works of Artof Art

Historical vs. Critical

Approaches

A r t H i s t o r y

Seeking answers to these types of questions:

When was it done?Where was it done?What style of art does it represent?What artists or works of art influenced the

artist?What impact did the artist or the work have upon artists and works that followed?

ART HISTORY relies on External Cues

DescriptionDescription

Determine when, where, and by whom the work was done.

AnalysisAnalysis

Identify unique features to determine artistic style.

InterpretationInterpretation

Learn how time and place influenced the artist.

JudgmentJudgment

Use information to make a decision about a work’s importance in the history of art.

Guernica, Picasso, 1937Determine when, where, and by whom the work was done.

Identify unique features to determine artistic style.

Learn how time and place influenced the artist.

Use information to make a decision about a

work’s importance in the history of art.

A r t C r i t i c i s m

Seeking answers to these types of questions:

What is in the artwork?How is the artwork designed or put together?What does it mean?Is it a successful work of art?

ART CRITICISM relies on Internal Cues

DescriptionDescription

Focus: Subject matter and/or Elements of Art

AnalysisAnalysis

Focus: Organization – how Principles of Design have been used to arrange the elements of art

InterpretationInterpretation

Focus: Moods, feelings and ideas communicated by the work

JudgmentJudgment

Focus: Decision-making about the work’s artistic merit

L'Absinthe, Degas, 1876

Focus: Subject matter and/or Elements of Art

Focus: Organization – how Principles of Design have been used to arrange the elements of art

Focus: Moods, feelings and ideas communicated by the work

Focus: Decision-making about the work’s artistic merit