Throughout this course we will be examining various art forms and learning to form our own analysis of different styles of art. As part of this course you will be required to complete a contextual art analysis essay based on the work of a female artist. The artwork you choose to analyze must be done by a professional artist (meaning a person who has work in museums, galleries, etc…not your friend who doodles in their notebook or your kid brother who drew something at school.) You may select a work of art from any period of time or region, but I recommend you select a work of art that has information available about it. For this assignment you may only analyze a painting, a drawing, or a sculpture.
What your analysis must include:
An introduction paragraph: literally introduce your topic here. What piece of art are you analyzing and who is it by? This is not the place to include source materials or analysis.
Body paragraphs containing a formal analysis of what is physically present in the work of art and a contextual analysis discussing the context of the piece.
A conclusion paragraph that wraps up your analysis
A works cited page including citations for the work of art you have examined and any other source materials you used to write your analysis. Sources must also be cited in text.
Essays must be formatted in MLA style (which includes 12 pt. Times New Roman font and have standard 1 inch margins.) Page length is 2-3, double spaced. Analysis sections must be typed in complete sentences (bullet points or partial sentences will not be accepted).
**You must select a work of art that is different from the two you will be analyzing in your research project.
The following will describe each assignment and offer guidelines for what to look for and discuss in your analysis
Art Analysis Essay Sculpture, Painting, or Drawing
Please use the following outlines as a guide for what to include in your written essay. You don’t need to include every point if it doesn’t apply, but be sure to write a full analysis. When you analyze your piece of art you want to be sure to include an analysis of the composition (how was it made? This includes the elements of art) AND an analysis of the context (what influenced the artist to make it? This includes social, political, and historical influencing factors)
Outline 1
Critical Analysis–Painting or Drawing
Title & Artist
What is the work called?
Who is it by?
Composition
What does the image show? Is the painting of an event? An object? A person?
What is the historical or social context of the subject matter?
What stands out about the image?
Is it realistic? Abstract?
What is the medium(s)?
What was the work composed on?
Were any special tools used?
What types of lines were used in the actual image (edges, outlines, ect..)?
What types of invisible lines are used in the piece?
What colors are used in the piece?
Do the colors fit into a specific color scheme?
Do any colors stand out? Why?
Does the artist use any technique to create specific shapes?
What shapes are evident in the piece?
Are there similarities in the shapes?
Is linear perspective used in the piece?
What elements does the artist use to create balance?
Does the image incorporate deep space? Does it stay on the surface?
What is the primary focal point of the piece?
Why is the eye drawn to this point?
What stands out about the focal point?
Context
What influenced the artist to create this piece?
What social or political influences does the piece portray, if any?
What was going on in the artist’s life during the time he or she created this piece?
[External influences]
Personal Opinion
Does the image cause a profound response or stimulation?
Does the image cause you to think more deeply?
Does the image invoke an emotional response?
Why or why not?
Outline
Critical Analysis–Sculpture
Title & Artist
What is the work called?
Who is it by?
Composition
What type of sculpture is it?
Is it fully three dimensional (sculpture in the round)?
Is it partially dimensional (relief sculpture)?
What effect does the use of dimension have on the sculpture?
What method did the artist use to create the sculpture?
What type of material was used?
What type of tool was used?
What is the texture of the sculpture?
What is the size of the sculpture?
Is the sculpture dense? Light and airy?
What type of mass does it create?
What type of line does the artist use?
Is it self contained?
Do the lines create any specific focal points?
How does the use of line impact the overall sculpture?
How does the artist use negative space?
What is the primary focal point of the piece?
Why is the eye drawn to this point?
What stands out about the focal point?
Context
What influenced the artist to create this piece?
What social or political influences does the piece portray, if any?
What was going on in the artist’s life during the time he or she created this piece?
[External influences]
Personal Opinion
Does the image cause a profound response or stimulation?
Does the image cause you to think more deeply?
Does the image invoke an emotional response?
Why or why not?
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