The visual focus or the image that may be extracted from examining the artwork
Content
The meaning that is communicated by the artist of the artwork
Subject can be either representational or non-representational
Representational art
Piet Mondrian, Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow, 1930
Rene Magritte, The Treachery (or Perfidy) of Images, 1928–1929
Gustav Klimt, (Stoclet Frieze) The Expectation, The Tree of Life, The Embrace, 1909
Abstract art
Art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures
Abstract art
Pablo Picasso, Head of a Woman, 1962
Willem de Kooning, Interchange, 1955
3 Levels of Meaning
Factual Meaning
Conventional Meaning
Subjective Meaning
Factual Meaning
The most rudimentary level of meaning that may be extracted from the identifiable or recognizable forms in the artwork and understanding how these elements relate to one another
Conventional Meaning
Pertains to the acknowledged interpretation of the artwork using motifs, signs, symbols, and other cyphers as bases of meaning
Subjective Meaning
Meanings from a viewer's circumstances that come into play when engaging with art
Sources of Subject
Nature
Mythology
Religious Beliefs
History
4 Steps in Critiquing an Artwork
Describe
Analyze
Interpret
Evaluate
Describe
What do you see? Like taking an inventory of what is seen in the artwork
Analyze
Using the dominant elements and principles of art to reflect upon the artwork and why the artist used them
Interpret
Based on the analysis, interpret the meaning of the artwork using the 3 levels of meaning
Evaluate
Based on the interpretation, evaluate the artwork and derive relevance from it to your own personal life or the society that you live in
