Critical Analysis Essay Part I
ARTIST and ARTWORK TO ANALYSIS Louise Bourgeois, Cell XXVI
Each paragraph should use complete sentences and be at least 5 sentences long: Objective To type a two-page critical analysis of one work of art from the Modern Art lecture.
You may select one of the historical or contemporary artists that were reviewed.
First, you will analyze the Form, Subject Matter, Context, and Content of your selected work.
Second, you will make a critical judgement of your selected work based of your analysis.
See helpful resources below.
Paragraph 1. Form & Subject Matter Select one artwork Describe the Form of the artwork: identify & Explain specific Elements of Art and Principles of Design Identify the Subject Matter of the artwork
Paragraph 2. Context Research the Context (background) of the artist and artwork Explain this Context in detail (citing your research sources)
Paragraph 3. Content Determine the Content (meaning) of the artwork based on the artwork’s Form, Subject Matter, & Context. Keep in mind, the content (meaning) of the work is based on your own conclusion, there is not right or wrong answer.
Paragraph 4. Critical Analysis Judgement Make a critical judgment of the artwork based on the artwork’s Form, Subject Matter, Context, & Content Assignment
Requirements Assignments should be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12-point font within a word document. Page length: two-page minimum Please place an image of the selected artwork within the text. Below the image, write the artist’s name and the artwork’s title, dimensions (if available) and year created. The image should not count toward the required length of the paper.
Critical Analysis Essay Resources
What is Form, Subject Matter, Context, & Content in Art?
Form: is the way a work of art looks. A formal analysis includes visual aspects of the work that can be isolated and described, such as size, shape, materials, Elements of Art (color, texture, shape, line, etc.), or
Principles of Design (balance, repetition, space, rhythm, etc.)
Subject Matter: what the artist has chosen to depict. For representational and abstract artworks, could be figures, objects, places, etc. For non-objective artworks, this can be described using the Elements of Art (similar to how one describes the Form of an artwork-color, line, shape, etc.)
Context: is all of the things about the artwork that might have influenced the artwork or the artist. This could include when the work was created, where it was created (culturally or geographically), why it was created, or some other details or information.
Understanding the context of artwork can deepen and improve our understanding of the work. This step may require outside sources (internet, books, articles). If you obtain information from an outside source, please cite the source at the end of your paper.
Content: is what the work is about. For representational and abstract artworks, content begins with the Subject Matter that the work depicts. For non-objective artworks, content is derived from the emotion or suggestion of the arrangement of the Elements of Art. Both the Form and Subject Matter of an artwork can be helpful indicators of the work’s Content.
Strategies for Critical Analysis Judgement Art Criticism: is responding to, interpreting meaning, and making critical judgments about specific works of art. One’s opinion can be based on an analysis of an artwork’s Form, Subject Matter, and Content. Steps of Critical Analysis Form: a formal analysis of the pure description of an artwork Subject Matter: determination of the work’s subject matter Context: interpretation and explanation of the artwork’s background Content: interpretation of the artwork’s meaning in reference to the form, subject matter, context, and/or content. *Consider what evidence inside or outside the artwork supports your interpretation Judgement: your conclusion regarding if the artwork is successful and/or impactful based on your interpretation of the artwork’s Form, Subject Matter, Context, and Content Consider that criteria you are using for your judgment Determine evidence to back up your judgment using the language of art (key terms used throughout the semester from readings and lectures)