Feldman’s Method of Art Criticism

1. Feldman’s Method of Art Criticism A way of looking at art.

2. Vocabulary: • Art Criticism: An organized approach to studying a work of art. It has four steps: describe, analyze, interpret and judge.

3. The 4 Steps: 1. Describe: What do you see in the work of art? This can include the literal objects, like people, places and things. It can also include the elements of art, like lines, shapes, colors, textures, values, forms and space.

4. Describe this Painting: What things do you see? What Elements of Art do you see?In your notes, name three things. The Banjo Lesson, Henry Tanner, 1893, American.

5. The 4 Steps: 2. Analyze: How are the Elements of Art organized? In other words, which Principles of Design are being applied in the work of art?

6. Analyze this Painting: What Principles of Design do you see? Name 2 Principles of deisgn that you see in your notes. Be specific. The Banjo Lesson, Henry Tanner, 1893, American.

7. The 4 Steps: 3. Interpret: What is the artist trying to say? This can include either the: - Story – a narrative the picture is telling. • Mood - a feeling the artwork is showing. • Meaning - a message the work of art is telling. ….or it can be all three!

8. Interpret this Painting: What is this artist trying to say?Write the story and the mood in your notes. The Banjo Lesson, Henry Tanner, 1893, American.

9. The 4 Steps: 2. Judge: Is the work of art successful? A work of art can be successful or unsuccessful technically and conceptually. Technically successful means the artist used the Elements and Principles well, and used their materials well. Conceptually successful means the artist had good ideas and communicated them well to the viewer.

10. Interpret this Painting: Is this work of art successful? Why or why not?Write down if you think the work of art is successful. Explain why or why not. The Banjo Lesson, Henry Tanner, 1893, American.

11. Postcard Art Criticism CW : You will be given a reproduction of a work of art to look at and write about. You will discuss your work of art with 1-2 other people. Each person will submit a separate completed assignment. First, on a piece of paper write: • The title of the artwork. • The name of the artist. • Date the artwork was made. • Nationality of the artist. • Media of the artwork.

12. Part 1: Postcard Art Criticism Pre-Writing: • DESCRIBE: Create a list of at least ten things you see in the work of art. Remember to include actual objects, like people, things and places. Also list Elements of Art, like lines, colors, shape and values. Be specific (i.e. “curvy lines in the bottom of the painting”, not just “lines”)

13. 2. ANALYZE • Identify 2 Principles of Design that the artist used in the artwork. • Explain how the artist used each Principle. Be specific.

14. 3. INTERPRET Identify and write down 2 possible meanings, moods or stories within the work of art. Give supporting evidence for each. Cite examples from the artwork.

15. 4. JUDGE Do you think the work of art was successful? Explain why or why not. Cite examples from the artwork.

16. Part 2: Formal Art Critique (individual) Write a 1 page critique of the art work on your postcard. - Introduce the general information about the artwork (Title, Artist, Media, Country, Date). - Include your description, analysis, interpretation and judgment from your pre-writing exercise. - Cite specific examples from the artwork to support each part of your critique.

17. Interpretation Prompt:(6-8 Sentences) This is the famous painting “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper. Pick one person in the painting and tell a story about who he or she is.

18. Aesthetic Criteria Categorizing works of art.

19. Vocabulary: • Aesthetics: A set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art. • Subject Matter: What a work of art is of or about.

20. 3 Categories: • Realistic (red) • Distorted (yellow) • Abstract (blue)

21. 1. 2. 3.

22. Aesthetic Criteria CW: • Choose 1 postcard from each category (realistic, distorted or abstract). • Write down the category, the name of the artist, the title of the artwork, date, country and media. • Answer the following questions about each card (2-3 sentences): 1. Which category (realistic, distorted or abstract) does the card fall into? Explain.