High Standards
HS Level (Gr. 11-12)
Art Analysis & Interpretation



The Analysis Art Grad Standard requires a student to evaluate a variety of art works or presentations. This project requires interpreting three works. Students are to evaluate and comment on each these works including the following categories -- the design and visual elements, the period and/or stylistic features, and the social historical or cultural context, personally feelings, interpretations and responses. 

CHOOSE 1 ART CREATION 
FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING PERIODS: 
(1) 15th to 18th Century - (1) Nineteen century - (1) 20th Century.


General guidelines to complete the analysis of each art example:

  • Use typed/computer- printed copy.
  • Use 12 point Roman or Helvetica font
  • Include a printed copy of the art form. (Color preferred)
  • Use whole sentences not fragmented phrases. If you follow a guide sheet with sample questions to complete answer the question with a complete sentence.
  • Use headings to introduce each topic that will follow.
  • Information found in encyclopedias or on the net must be restated in your own words. (Not simply cut and pasted)
         Page format and sequence of information
  • Cover page to include: 
  • Your name
  • The description of the project: 
  • Grad Standard, Grade level, Art Analysis, etc.
  • The artists name
  • The art medium (oil on canvas, carved stone, etc.
  • Name of art work if known if not given state "Untitled"
  • Year or approximate time of creation
  • The art period or style of the work (example "Renaissance")
  • Photo reproduction of work may be on cover page OR on page 2.
         Information to include when analyzing 
         each of the 3 art examples
  • Remember to use a heading for each key topic.
  • Several paragraphs in which you describe your reactions to the work. Give a reason for each reaction or statement based upon specific features of the art. (This provides the 'why' of your reactions.)
  • Before you probe what the artist may have wanted to communicate, try to give your own interpretation of the meaning of the work and again, site actual features that you are looking at when making these statements.
  • This should take up a page of each of your reports.
        Analysis of Design and Visual elements
  • Describe visual features of the art work in terms of line, shape, color, tone, texture, illumination, depth of space, and size.
  • Describe design features in terms of contrast, tensions, movement (line directions), emphasis, rhythms, harmonizing (unifying features).
  • Understanding design and visual elements is fundamental, applied to all art creation including your creations. Your descriptions should reveal your understanding of these elements listed above.

    •  
        Analysis of skills exhibited by the artist
  • Creative qualities of the art, concept, imagination, individualistic, unique view point or imagination.
  • Skills exhibited in the art. (What makes this artist an "artist".)
  • How does the artist use the media in a skillful manner?

    •  
        Social and historic context of the art
  • What was the social setting of the artist and his work?
  • What were some common attitudes of the time?
  • What were common technologies of the period?
  • What it a period of stress, war, or ease and prosperity?
  • How do you see the social context expressed in the art?

    •  

     
     
     

    Some essential information about the artist 

  • His personal background, training, and society
  • Why his work is important in the historic context of the creative arts
  • Personal traits, interesting personal or personality features
  • Re state the historic time and place of the artist's life.

    •  
        Personal feelings and reactions to the work
  • What you felt the art expressed, refer to actual content or features that communicate this interpretation to you.
  • Do you like the work or have a different response to it. Explain your reasons for your feelings about it.
  • What does the art work teach you that you might use in a creative way this could be creative ideas, techniques or design effects that are effective
Check list for each of the reports
 
I have the cover page with the headings                          Yes                             No


I have a good reprint of the art                                           Yes                             No

 
I have headings to introduce key topics                           Yes                             No
 
I have described facts with my own words                        Yes                             No
 
I have used complete sentences                                        Yes                             No
 
I use and understand design 
and visual terms from instruction list                                   Yes                             No
 
I have essential biographical information                           Yes                             No
 
I have described the times and  historical setting              Yes                             No
 
I shared personal reactions and interpretation                   Yes                             No
 
I described skills used by the artist                                       Yes                            No
 

 
 
ART APPENDIX

 

Art and Design terms you will need to understand: 

Visual elements:

Line, Form & Shape, Color, Texture, Size, Space, Light, Tone 

Line edges all forms and shapes, may occur alone; produces movements and textures 
Form defines and object or shape. Form may denote ""mass"" a 3d form. 
Color defines any Hue, colors we name, primary, secondary tints, etc. 
Texture defines both natural patterns of line or tactile roughness or smoothness 
Size is the reference to the amount of space occupied by an element. 
Space the area which is occupied by the elements 2dimension or 3 dimensional. 
Light defines illumination from a light source will influence modeling and cast shadows. 
Tone is any effect of shadow, values, dark, light, or shading. Any color also has relative tone. 

Design elements:

Movement (direction) , Rhythm, Repetition, Contrast, Variety, Unity, Emphasis, Tension, Similarity. 


Movements the directions the line or edges move through a space. 
Rhythm are the effect of repeated similar line movements. 
Repetition refers to repeating any element, see above list. 
Contrast differences found comparing any given element. Such as contrast of ""colors"". 
Variety expresses numbers or differences, different kinds of elements or content. 
Unity expresses the appearance of oneness or harmony that every design requires. 
Emphasis is the effect of bring some parts out or making prominent or dominant. 
Tension results when elements don''t fit harmoniously; but cause opposition or dissonance. 
Similarity of elements is the main method of making the composition harmonize.