Representational Abstract Non-objective by: Colleen O’Donnell

Representational The exact rendering by the artist of an object or scene without any alterations or interpretations. This means that the artist does not alter or change the image from the observation of real life, or only slightly alters it to increase artistic expression.

Chuck Close, self-portrait Did this painting trick you into thinking it was a photograph? This painting is an example of photorealism. Does this painting make you feel a certain emotion? What do you think the man in the painting is feeling? Chuck Close, self-portrait

Andrew Wyeth, Christina’s World What do you think the girl in the painting is reaching or longing for? How does this painting make you feel?

Grant Wood, American Gothic What do the facial expressions of the man and woman tell you about how they might be feeling? What do their clothing and the background tell you about what their lives might be like? Grant Wood, American Gothic

Abstract The objects seen in real life are altered by personal style of the artist to express concept or emotion. Sometimes there is little resemblance to the original object that the forms are based upon, other times the work has only been altered slightly to express more or to adapt to the artists’ individual style.

Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night What is the main color that Van Gogh used in this painting and how does it make the painting feel to you? How does the direction of the brush strokes effect the painting? Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night

Pablo Picasso, Three Musicians What clues can you find in the painting to tell you that these are three musicians? If you could guess what type of music they play, what would it be? Pablo Picasso, Three Musicians

Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory What do you see? What do you think? What do you wonder? Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory

Non-Objective All elements in the work of art are metaphorical and are not meant to literally resemble anything in real life. The artist is focused on the formal elements of art, considering line, shape, color, value, texture, space and form. There is no resemblance to objects in the piece.

Wassily Kandinsky, Composition VII If you could describe the mood of this painting, how would you describe it? What parts of this painting do your eyes keep going back to again and again? Why do you think this happens? Wassily Kandinsky, Composition VII

What do the bright colors of this painting make you think of? How would the mood of the painting change if the colors were green and blue? Mark Rothko

Piet Mondrian, Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow What do the bold black lines do to this painting? How would the feel of the painting change if the large square was yellow? Or blue? Piet Mondrian, Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow

Mary Rousseaux

Mary Rousseaux