Common Assessment #2 Art Criticism

1. Choose an artwork. (It does not have to be an artwork that you like.)
2. Follow Feldmans Method of Art Criticism to write your art criticism response.
3. Post your written response and an image of the artwork you chose to your
Weebly website.
Attach as a Word Doc, PowerPoint, Prezi.

DUE Friday December 12th

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FELDMANS METHOD OF ART CRITICISM

Edmund Feldman, Professor of Art at the University of Georgia, developed an easy
four-step method for evaluating a work of art.

1. DESCRIPTION
2. ANALYSIS

What can be seen in the artwork?

What relationships exist with what is seen? Use the
elements of art and principles of design.

3. INTERPRETATION

What is the content or meaning, based on steps

1 and 2?
4. JUDGEMENT

What is your evaluation of the work, based on

steps1, 2, 3?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Complete each step before moving on to the next step.
Each step should be a complete paragraph. (5-7 Sentences)
Use the guiding statements and questions to write your response.

Description

What do you see? Only facts No Opinions.

Pretend you are describing the artwork over the phone.

Do not use terms that denote value judgments, such as beautiful, disorderly, funny
looking, harmonious, etc.
Instead, focus on the factual information, such as smooth, bright, round, a lake, a shape,
etc.
This is important so that you dont jump to conclusions before going though all the
steps.
What do you see in the artwork? Where are these things located within the
composition?
o Foreground, middleground, background
o Left, Right, Center
o Above, Below, Overlapping
Analysis Use the Elements of Art and Principles of Design to make connections within
the art composition. What relationships exist based on the elements and principles.
Elements: Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Space, Form, Value
Principles: Movement, Pattern, Rhythm, Emphasis, Contrast, Balance, Unity
How are the above terms seen in the artwork?
What relationships exist among the terms above
o Relationships based on sizes, shapes, textures, balance, etc.
Steps 3 and 4 on the Back
Interpretation

What do you feel is the meaning of the artwork?

Based on your response for step 1- Description and step 2- Analysis what do you think
the meaning of the artwork is? This is your opinion!
Your response should be based on ideas, sensations and/or feelings evoked from the
artwork.
If you have background information on the artwork this can aid in your interpretation.
o As new facts about the artwork are discovered your interpretation may change.
For example: Artist Statement, Date of artwork creation
Judgment

Do you like it? Why or Why not? Support your decision.

Often this is expressed about an artwork before it has really been examined.

 Judgment in that case is neither informed nor critical but simply an opinion.
o Do you like it? Yes or no. And why or why not?
o Support your opinion.

Post your written response and an image of the artwork you chose to
your Weebly account.
Attach as a Word Doc, PowerPoint, Prezi.

DUE Friday December 12th