Impressionistic Criticism

Quick Lesson Plan During this presentation we will:1. Look deeper into the meaning of

impressionistic criticism.2. Explore the difference between objectivity and

subjectivity. 3. Learn about artistic temperament and the

issues it brings to impressionistic criticism.4. Practice critiquing using impressionistic

criticism.

By the end of this presentation you should be able to:

1. Clearly define impressionistic criticism (in your own words).

2. Explain the difference between objectivity and subjectivity.

3. Understand the issue of artistic temperament.4. Critique using the art impressionistic criticism.

What Is Impressionistic Criticism Impressionistic Criticism is what happens when

a critic is reading a piece of work and critiques it on how he or she is feeling instead of critiquing using principles.

If you choose to be an impressionistic critic you are your own audience.

By using your senses you are acting as an impressionistic critic.

The Difference… Impressionistic Criticism is the difference

between reality and what you think, the difference between objectivity and subjectivity.

An example of objectivity would be “this background is pink with dots”. We can all see and agree that this background is pink with spots.

An example of subjectivity would be “this background is beautiful”. I may think it is beautiful, but some of you may not.

Principles Of Design/ Elements of Art When critiquing a piece of work using principles,

you would look at, and take into consideration such things as:

- Balance - Proportion- Variety and emphasis- Harmony and unity- Colour- Texture

Artistic Temperament Question: does any one person’s opinion have

more value than any other? What is the difference in significance between a

random pedestrian’s perception of a piece and someone who has been studying art for many year’s perception of a piece?

Is it fair to say that one critique is more valid than any other when they are all based off of a personal evoked emotion?

Final Notes Everyone sees things differently (although some

opinions may agree with others, it is coincidental), and in their view they may or may not find beauty/truth/meaning. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Considering this, all criticism, in a way, is impressionistic, even though it may be based around principles.

What do you think?

- Georges Seurat - Sunday Afternoon on the Island of the Grande Jatte

- Pablo Picasso – Weeping Woman

- Van Gogh – Starry Night

- Leonardo da Vinci – Madonna Benois

Let’s Debate

Question:Is a student studying art’s

impressionistic criticism/opinion on a painting more valid or significant than your impressionistic criticism/opinion?