Term
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Definition
- What sort of work is this? (painting, sculpture, etc.)
- what is the title, date, location?
- what is the subject? (biblical, mythological, historical, genre, portrait, etc.)
- Give the source of the subject if known.
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Term
Formal Analysis
General Observations |
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Definition
- What are the general shape, scale and proportions of the work.
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Term
Formal Analysis
Composition |
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Definition
- what are the major elements of the compositon, and how are they related to each other?
- is the composition compact and contained or are the elsements loosely arranged?
- in a painting, how does the composition relate to the size and shape of the canvas or panel?
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Term
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Definition
- line can be actual or implied
- it can function as a contour or be suggested by the composition
- how is line used by the artist?
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Term
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Definition
- describe the colors used and how they are organized and related to each other.
- does the color unify parts of the composition?
- does it bring planes of implied space closer together or help to suggest recession?
- does the color help to focus the viewers attention on one or more important elements in the composition?
- is it natural or artificial?
- is it used objectively or is it intended to evoke an emotional response in the viewer?
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Term
Formal Analysis
Light and Shadow |
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Definition
- how are light and shadow used to define form and suggest plasticity, or does their absence flatten them?
- are the light and shadow used to heighten the expressive effect of the work, do they have some other effect in the work?
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Term
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Definition
- What kind of pictorial impression is created-deep recession, shallow, or flat?
- what devices are used to suggest pictorial space? (if this is line, incorporate with above.)
- consider linear and aerial perspective, overlapping of forms, foreshortening, figure-ground and color relationships.
- in sculpture consider the way to sculptures forms are organized and the way they relate to the surrounding space.
- is there a primary view?
- how are voids and recessions used to enhance these effects?
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Term
Formal Analysis
Medium and Technique
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Definition
- every medium has certian characteristics and properties.
- how does the medium affect the formal qualities of the work?
- consider the texture of the quality of the surface revealed by light.
- is it shiny, dull, hard, sorft, rought or smooth?
- how do the medium and technique affect the overall appearance of the work?
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Term
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Definition
A. are the forms portrayed naturalistically or are they idealized to conform to other notions of physical beauty?
B. are the forms abstract or have they been derived/abstracted from nature or from some other source? how is this conveyed visually? what is the expressive effect of the stylization?
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