1. Art Criticism 4 Steps to Criticizing a piece of art.

2. Art Criticism: A systematic discussion of art that involves 4 steps. A systematic discussion of art that involves 4 steps. The 4 steps are The 4 steps are –Description –Analysis –Interpretation –Evaluation / Judgment

3. Step 1 Description Stick to the Facts. Stick to the Facts. Talk about the things that you see in the piece. Talk about the things that you see in the piece. These things are called the subject of the piece. These things are called the subject of the piece. Be specific about the subject. Tell where things are located. Be specific about the subject. Tell where things are located. Talk about the dominate Elements in the piece. Talk about the dominate Elements in the piece. Line, Shape, Form, Value, Color, Texture, Space. Line, Shape, Form, Value, Color, Texture, Space.

4. Describe this piece: Pierre Auguste Renoir Luncheon of the boating Party We see people gathered on a deck. We see people gathered on a deck. They are at a table with food and drink. They are at a table with food and drink. They are under a cover. They are under a cover. Some people are closer to the viewer than others which creates the illusion of SPACE (foreground, middle ground and Background) Some people are closer to the viewer than others which creates the illusion of SPACE (foreground, middle ground and Background) The railings lead your eye to the right. This is a directional line. The railings lead your eye to the right. This is a directional line.

5. Step 2 Analysis: In this step you will talk about how the elements work in the piece. In this step you will talk about how the elements work in the piece. This relationship between the elements and the subject matter is called composition. This relationship between the elements and the subject matter is called composition. Now you will talk about how the artist used the principles of design to organize the elements. Now you will talk about how the artist used the principles of design to organize the elements. –Rhythm, Movement, Pattern, Emphasis, Unity, Variety, Balance

6. Renoir grouped the people together to create multiple points of interest. Renoir grouped the people together to create multiple points of interest. repetition creates unity. Renoir repeats the color white throughout the piece. This repetition also creates visual rhythm. repetition creates unity. Renoir repeats the color white throughout the piece. This repetition also creates visual rhythm. Renoir also repeats the color orange and yellow throughout the piece which helps pull it all together. Renoir also repeats the color orange and yellow throughout the piece which helps pull it all together. The directions that the people are looking creates a “Line of Sight” we the viewer automatically follow the line of sight. This movement of our eyes around the piece is “visual movement”. The directions that the people are looking creates a “Line of Sight” we the viewer automatically follow the line of sight. This movement of our eyes around the piece is “visual movement”. This piece has informal balance. Most of the visual weight is on the right hand side. By placing the taller man in the foreground on the left hand side and filling that space with the river view the artist has made the piece feel well balanced. This piece has informal balance. Most of the visual weight is on the right hand side. By placing the taller man in the foreground on the left hand side and filling that space with the river view the artist has made the piece feel well balanced.

7. Step 3 Interpretation: In this step you will take cues from the subject matter, elements and principles to determine the meaning of the piece. In this step you will take cues from the subject matter, elements and principles to determine the meaning of the piece. This is called Content. This is called Content. The meaning/content of the piece is subject to the viewers opinion. The meaning/content of the piece is subject to the viewers opinion.

8. In the description and analysis we noted…. In the description and analysis we noted…. –Warm colors –Young people socializing –Informal dress –Food and drinks on the table.  We may be able to infer that this painting is a general representation of being young and a carefree way of life.

9. Step 4 Evaluation: In this step you will determine the quality or lasting importance of the work of art. In this step you will determine the quality or lasting importance of the work of art. You are entitled to your own opinion but you have to have some criteria to base your evaluation on. (you have to have a good explanation to back up your opinion) You are entitled to your own opinion but you have to have some criteria to base your evaluation on. (you have to have a good explanation to back up your opinion)

10. A few Good Criteria to base your Evaluation on: Design quality: How well the artist uses the Elements and Principles. Also how well the piece represents a theme or world view. A good piece of art is timeless. Even if it was obviously created a long time ago, it is still relevant today. Design quality: How well the artist uses the Elements and Principles. Also how well the piece represents a theme or world view. A good piece of art is timeless. Even if it was obviously created a long time ago, it is still relevant today. Originality: is the piece unique in some way? An innovative use of material or a new take on an old theme? Originality: is the piece unique in some way? An innovative use of material or a new take on an old theme?