1. Art Criticism

2. MUSEUM ETIQUETTE How do you behave when in an art gallery, museum, or just looking at another’s artwork? How do you behave when in an art gallery, museum, or just looking at another’s artwork? DO NOT TOUCH! DO NOT TOUCH! Be quiet. Be quiet. Be respectful of the artist. Be respectful of the artist. Do not eat food in a gallery/museum, or near other’s artwork. Do not eat food in a gallery/museum, or near other’s artwork. Behave appropriately – no horseplay. Behave appropriately – no horseplay.

3. Why do we critique art? To try to understand the art. To try to understand the art. To understand how it makes us feel. To understand how it makes us feel. To try to understand the artist who made it. To try to understand the artist who made it. To decide whether or not it was well made. To decide whether or not it was well made. To decide whether or not we like it. To decide whether or not we like it.

4. The FOUR Steps to Criticism DescriptionAnalysisInterpretationJudgment

5. DESCRIPTION What do you see in the artwork? * Subject (what is it a picture of?) * What colors are used? * What kinds of lines, shapes, and forms? * What is the style like? * What would you title this artwork?

6. ANALYSIS How do the parts of the picture all work together? How do the parts of the picture all work together? What stands out the most when you first look at it? What stands out the most when you first look at it? How do things stand out from each other? How do things stand out from each other? What leads your eye through the artwork? What leads your eye through the artwork? Is anything repeated? Does that make it seem important? Is anything repeated? Does that make it seem important? Does it all seem to ‘fit’ together? Does it all seem to ‘fit’ together?

7. INTERPRETATION How does it make you feel? How does it make you feel? What do you think the artist was trying to say to us? What do you think the artist was trying to say to us? What do you think the meaning, or purpose, of the artwork is? What do you think the meaning, or purpose, of the artwork is? Why? Why?

8. JUDGMENT Pretend you are a writer for a newspaper. Your job is to review the new art show. You will research one artwork, and tell your readers about it. They will not see your notes, so you need to tell them everything they need to know.

9. “Water Lilies” by Monet

10. JUDGMENT Start with an INTRODUCTORY sentence. Include the artist’s name, title of the artwork, and your opinion. “Waterlillies” by Monet is a quiet, calming painting.

11. JUDGMENT Add 3 sentences that support your opinion. These should refer to what you wrote down in your description, analysis and interpretation areas.

12. JUDGMENT Add 3 sentences that support your opinion. Monet’s use of cool colors is soothing and relaxing. The brushstrokes of blues and violets create a calm mood. Monet’s ability to capture the soft light in this painting adds to the peacefulness.

13. JUDGMENT Finish with a CONCLUDING sentence. This should restate your opinion in a new way.

14. JUDGMENT Finish with a CONCLUDING sentence. Monet’s inviting and peaceful artwork is a true masterpiece.

15. ART CRITIQUE Grading Grammar Grammar Punctuation Punctuation Spelling Spelling 5 SENTENCES 5 SENTENCES A well thought out opinion …AND… A well thought out opinion …AND… THE SUPPORT OF THAT OPINION! THE SUPPORT OF THAT OPINION!

16. Le Pont Japonias Poplars Poppy Field in Argenteuill Claude Monet The Artist’s Garden At Vetheuil

17. Georgia O’Keeffe Art Criticism

18. Blue Flowers Blue Morning Glories Music Pink and Blue