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

How to Learn About a Picture

Art Criticism: Learning from works of Art Art History:

Learning about works of Art

Using

And/Or

ArtCriticism

(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.

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.

A Sequence of Art-Criticism and Art-History Operations

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

For this lesson use:

View of Salisbury Cathedral

By John Constable

Using the

Art Critic

ism Method

Always do this method first,before you read anything About the work of art

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

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

Description Cathedral Trees Clouds Dappled sunlight You do lots more!

AnalysisUse 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.

Design Chart

Balance Emphasis Harmony Variety Gradation MovementRhythm

Proportion

Color/Hue

Intensity

Value

Value

(Non-color

Line

Texture

Shape/ form

Space

Principles of art

Ele

men

ts o

f A

rt

If you can’t remember what each thing is consult your book

Design Chart

Balance Emphasis Harmony Variety Gradation Movement Rhythm

Proportion

Color/Hue

Intensity

Value

Value

(Non-color

Line

Texture X #1Shape/ form

X #2

Space X #3

Principles of art

Ele

men

ts o

f A

rtThese are a few of my Choices for “View of Salisbury Cathedral”

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…….

InterpretationMoods, feelings and ideas communicated by the work

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

Theories of Art

Aesthetic qualities

Choose one or more that pertains to your piece of art

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

Judgment Decision making about the work’s

artistic meritDuring 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 figuresand the dappled sunlight coming through the trees. The cloudsmade it look like a beautiful summer day. The textures depicted in the painting were very real.Clearly, considering all of the steps taken in examiningThis piece of art, I would consider this is a excellent piece of art

Using the Art History Method

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.

Be sure to consult at least three books, you are looking now for external cues

We will use the same 4 methods that you used in Art Criticism, but in different ways.: Description,Analysis, Interpretation, and Judgment

DescriptionDetermine: 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 tellWhere it was painted, only where it is now.

“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

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.

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.

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!

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 1 854. 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.

JudgmentMake a decision about the work’s importance in the history of art.

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.