Today you will learn about the infamous… ART VIEWING GUIDE

How to Do an… Find in caption Draw image List what is in the picture Physical: where it is, surrounding (more important for sculpture) Cultural Context: story behind the work, purpose, etc. Identify: tell what you’re talking about and where it is Describe: tell how it is used Explain: tell what affect that has on the viewer or why you think the artist did it that way Do “Identify, Describe, Explain” for each element or principle Choose ONE thing to talk about on each element or principle, but go into detail using “Identify, Describe, Explain” technique. THIS WHOLE PAGE SHOULD BE COVERED WITH WRITING WHEN YOU ARE DONE.

- Title: The Arnolfini Portrait Artist: Jan van Eyck Date: 1434 Place: National Gallery, (London, England) Style: Portrait Media: Oil on Wood

Cultural Context Northern Renaissance Art –Painted in the Netherlands Narrative Meant to document impt. historical event: marriage Why important? –Netherlands just as good as Italy –2 impt. people painted by the most important local artist –record of their marriage (legal document) –Commentary on obligations of 15 th century marriage * What does this painting say about marriage in the 15 th century?

hands

candle tt/arthistory/section12a.ppt -

shoes

puppy

Signature

mirror

Line Identify: –All lines in painting going towards the mirror Describe: –Straight, implied lines of linear perspective Explain: –Lines bring focus to the mirror (vanishing point) –Shows technical expertise, legal document, and Christianity of home

Color Identify: –Giovanna’s dress Describe: –Complimentary colors of the red and green bring out the green of her dress. Draws audience’s eye Explain: –Green symbolizes fertility, sexuality –Yes! Green but no baby

Form Identify: –Glass of mirror; half sphere Describe: –Convex Explain: –Shows technical expertise, legal document

Texture Identify: –Arnolfini’s Coat the trim Describe: – Smooth, soft, etc. Explain: –Shows how he made his money

Space Identify: –Positive Space of Arnolfini’s Describe: – the Arnolfini’s take up most of the area allowed for the painting. –They have positive space. Explain: –they are the subject

Balance Identify: –symmetrical balance Describe: –Left side- the window and Giovanni are weighted evenly with the bed and Giovanna on the right side of the painting Explain: –shows both individuals as being equal

Contrast Identify: –oranges below window Describe: –orange color and brown color contrast –sphere contrasts with rectangular prism Explain: –makes the oranges stand out –shows Arnolfini’s wealth

Rhythm/Repetition Identify: –puppy Describe: –Repeated lines, texture, color creates a rhythm Explain: –shows the movement within the puppy’s fur –shows van Eyck showing off

Emphasis Identify: –Giovanni’s shoes Describe: –value is used to emphasize Giovanni’s shoes –the shoes and area around it have more light Explain: –shows Giovanni is a man of the world (compare to where Giovanna’s shoes are)

Unity Identify: –2 most important elements that tie the work together –line/color Describe: –the lines of the painting draw the audience’s eye through the painting and to a central point –color- clearly shows the subject of the painting Explain: –makes the audience see this painting as both legal and spiritual

Exit Slip On the following slide, you will identify the style of five images. On your paper, your answers will need to look like this:1) The Arnolfini Portrait/Portait You will turn this exit slip into the basket before leaving.