ART: Chapter 5

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to evaluating art, art criticism theories, artistic quality, and censorship, based on 'Prebles' Artforms Chapter 5: Evaluating Art'.

Evaluation of Artwork

The process of selecting one artwork over another, appreciating its specialness, and judging its quality, which can change over time and across cultures.

Quality of Art

A relative concept between people and cultures, referring to either skillful execution or the communication of a 'life breath' (as in Chinese culture); reputations of artworks can change over time.

Value Judgments in Art

Decisions about the quality or importance of an artwork that necessarily involve subjectivity and are influenced by the viewer's personality.

Art Criticism

The process of making discriminating judgments, both favorable and unfavorable, about works of art.

Formal Theories (Art Criticism)

An approach to art criticism that focuses on how a work is made, the organization of its composition, and values innovation in style above all, often comparing it to contemporary works.

Contextual Theories (Art Criticism)

An approach to art criticism that examines environmental influences on a work of art, such as economic systems, cultural values, and political circumstances of its time.

Expressive Theories (Art Criticism)

An approach to art criticism that looks for personal meanings, deep psychological insight, or human concern, linking the work to the artist's life, personality, or intentions.

Simultaneism

A style developed by Sonia Delaunay-Terk and her husband, characterized by radical juxtapositions of color intended to evoke the speed and vividness of modern urban life.

Masterpiece (Key Ingredients)

A great work of art typically recognized for a degree of innovation, important contextual meanings, and a recognizable personal statement.

Cash Value of Art

The monetary price an artwork commands in the market, which often correlates poorly with its historical importance or artistic quality, reflecting what collectors are willing to pay at a given time.

Factual Step (Writing about Art)

The first step in writing about art, involving gathering basic information such as the creator's name, title, date, subject, medium, size, and location of the work.

Analytical Step (Writing about Art)

The second step in writing about art, involving examining the parts of the work and how they fit together, considering formal elements, context, and the artist's input, and how it was received.

Evaluative Step (Writing about Art)

The final step in writing about art, involving assessing the quality or importance of the work in relation to art criticism techniques, considering its innovation, emotional impact, and reflection of its time or the artist's personality.

Censorship of Art

The alteration or removal of works of art from public view, usually carried out for religious, moral, or political reasons, subordinating artistic freedom to other values.