A Critical Evaluation

A Critical Evaluation

Art Criticism

Art critics and art historians are actively involved in the practice of art criticism.  They attempt to put into words the ideas and concepts the artists are trying to convey.  Art Historians are interested in how the works interpret the culture and time, while art critics are more involved with contemporary issues.

Some Simple Rules for Art Criticism*

1. Description: What do you see?
1. Describing Subject Matter: What is the subject?  What is there?  Simply describe.wht is there.
2. Describing Presentation:  How is the subject matter presented?
3. Describing Medium: What is the object made of?
4. Describing Style:  Which modern movement is your image from?

2.      Analyzing:  What formally is going on?

1.      Elements of Art:  Which elements of Art are evident; Line, Shape, Form, Texture, Color, Value and Space?

2.      Visual Clues:   How, why, what is the artist trying to convey.  Is it symmetrical or asymmetrical?  What is important?

3. Interpretation: What is the artwork about?
1. The Point:  What is the point or meaning?
2. Intent:  What is the artist trying to say?

4. Evaluation: What is your opinion?
1. Judgment:  How do I judge the quality and value of the art work? 
2. Timeline:  When was it Made?  Is it related to a theory or movement?
3. Artistic Importance:  Does it stand the test of time, or is merely amusing.

* based partially on Terry Barrett's Criticizing Photographs, Mountain View, CA:, 1990.