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.

Do Step #1. List what you see (don’t interpret).

Text 1. man 2. sheets 3. feather pen 4. wooden box 5. letter 6. knife 7. ink well 8. blood 9. head wrap 10. green 11. brown 12. red 13. face 14. text 15. light source #1. Describe

#2. Analyse This time look at the artwork as a space that has things placed in it. In three full sentences (or five short sentences - your choice) tell WHERE things in the artwork are placed. Try to examine relationships between things (objects, shapes, colour, etc.) in the painting.

Do step #2.

1. There is a man in the middle left of the painting. 2. The upper half of the painting is a dark brownish background. 3. There is a wooden box in the lower right corner. 4. The man is holding a note in his left hand; that is placed in the middle area of the painting. 5. There appears to be a light source casting light on the left side of the painting. ADVANCED: A pale white man is located in the lower left half of the painting; the viewer is only able to see the man’s upper torso. #2. Analyse

#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.

Do #3. Make an intelligent guess what this painting is about; support your claim with smart reasons.

1. I think that this painting is about a man who has passed away as he seems to be peacefully resting with his eyes closed. 2. I think this painting might be about a hero who has died an awful death as he appears to look healthy but there is blood and the man looks like he has collapsed. I think he may be a hero because it seems as if the painting is a tribute (use of the note and the dramatic lighting). 3. I think this painting is based on a play because the background looks like a stage and the lighting seems unnatural. #3. Interpret

#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 part of your 10% Perceiving & Responding…..)

I’ll tell you the story behind it, you take notes. For your test you will have to study your notes.

#4. Information 1. This painting was created by Jaques Louis David in 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)?

I think this is a good artwork as it is highly detailed and tells a good political story. The artwork appeals to me because it is dramatic and about a real event. This artwork does not appeal to me because I find it a bit gory; I also prefer artwork that is about modern day events. #5. Judgement