art criticism

Art criticism

is analyzing and evaluating works of art. Art critics, when they look at a painting, sculpture, or other form of art, they don't approach it as something that they like or dislike. They view it in a business-like way.

Look at the obvious

When critiquing an art piece, you'll be looking for that same type of information about the artist. This are basic information about the art and the artist.

Analyze the artwork

Next you have to describe the piece of art in terms of its subject matter, color, and style. For example, if you're looking at a painting, do you see people, a landscape, or an object? Let's say you see a woman

Check out the color palette, which is a spectrum of colors used by the artist. Sometimes you can tell from the color during which century the piece was created. Do you see pastels, or do you see bright colors? Maybe you see more muted tones. Look at the style. Style refers to a particular type of movement, such as Art Nouveau or Cubism.

Decide on an interpretation

Now that you've examined the artwork, what does it all mean? Sometimes your interpretation may be more straightforward; other times, you'll be calling attention to a hidden meaning. For instance, Salvador Dalí, the surrealist painter, specialized in hidden meanings, which stem from sexual trauma to science and religion.

Make a judgment call.

Last, but not least, an art critic needs to make a judgment call. What did you think of the artwork? In this step you have to go beyond 'I like it' , 'I love it' , or even 'I hate it'. In making your judgment call, you need to ask yourself if the work was successful. Did it convey the message the artist intended