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Looking at Art
5 steps for talking about artwork
#1. Describe
• Look at the artwork and LIST 15 things
that you see. The list can be made up
of objects, parts of objects, colours &
shapes.
#2. Analyse
• Now look at the artwork as a space that has
things placed in it. In three full sentences (or
five short sentences - your choice) tell HOW
things in the artwork are placed. Try to
examine relationships between things
(objects, shapes, colour, etc.) in the painting.
Be as descriptive as possible.
#3. Interpret
• Write three sentences that explain what
you think the artwork is about. Support
your ideas with reasons/evidence (use the
word ‘because’).
• Sometimes you may have more than one
idea about the possible meaning of the
artwork.
#4. Information
• Give at least five pieces of information
about the artwork. You may remember
information from a class talk or you may
have to do your own research. Always
take notes during a class talk*.
•
(*This is all part of your 10% Perceiving & Responding…..)
#4. Information
1. This painting was created
by Jaques Louis David in 1793.
2. David was a French
neo-classical painter.
3. This painting is considered
as an important political artwork about
the French Revolution.
4. Neo-classical painters were strongly
influenced by the works of the Greeks &
Romans (‘classical’), the attention to
detail and the focus on drapery are
characteristic of this style.
5. This painting was created as a tribute
to Marat, a French revolutionary, as was
an effective piece of propaganda.
#5. Judgement
•
•
•
There are two questions
you have to answer
here:
#1. Is the artwork good
(quality)?
#2. Does it appeal to
you (personal
aesthetic)?
Maude Lewis
Horse Pulling Logs
Kandinsky
Composition VII/WWI
The Starry Night
Vincent Van Gogh
The Birth of Venus
Sandro Botticelli
The Scream
Edvard Munch
Nighthawks
Edward Hopper
Migrant Mother
Dorothea Lange