The Steps of Art CriticismIn each step of art criticism, you are answering a

different question. The three steps of art criticism are:

1. Description: What do I see?

2. Analysis: How is the work organized?

• What colors does the artist use?

• What images do I see?

• How are these images arranged?

• Are any archetypal symbols/figures used?

3. Interpretation: What is the artist trying to communicate?

• What if you don’t know what an artwork is communicating?

• How can you figure it out?

Following the steps of art criticism can help you

discover lots of clues to really understand and

appreciate a work of art.

Understanding Art Criticism

Art criticism is studying, understanding, and evaluating works of art.

Paris Through the Window by Marc Chagall

• A cat

• A ledge

• A man with 2 faces

• The Eiffel tower

• A window

• A man in the sky

• Buildings

Description: What do I see?

Analysis: How is the work organized?

• What colors does the artist use?

• What images do I see?

• How are these images arranged?

• Are any archetypal images/symbols used?

Analysis: How is the work organized?• What colors

does the artist use?

• Rainbow

• Yellow

• Blue

• Red

• Green

• Brown

• Grey

• White

• What images do I see? (similar to #1)

Analysis: How is the work organized?

• A cat

• A ledge

• A man with 2 faces

• The Eiffel tower

• A window

• A man in the sky

• Buildings

Analysis: How is the work organized?

• How are these images arranged?• Colors in the

foreground

• Cat in the foreground looking out (at ET?)

• Man with two faces holding a heart in the foreground

• Eiffel Tower in background yet the eye is drawn there

Analysis: How is the work organized?

Archetypal image: Recurrent image that is universal &

expresses human nature or experiences

• White: innocence, purity, light (the city

and tower)

• Yellow: brightness, happiness

• Blue: positivity, truth

• Red: passion, love, violence

• Green: life, rebirth, growth

• Brown: earth tones, unity with land

Are any archetypal images or symbols used?

Interpretation: What is the artist trying to communicate? Possible Conclusions: The artist is depicting his vision of Paris.

The artist uses the element of color to add visual interest to the painting and express how he feels about the subject (Paris).

The cat represents the artist looking out at Paris.

This seems like a very happy time/place for the artist.

The artist is most likely communicating his positive

feelings about Paris.

Arrogant

WrathfulSummoned

Cunning

Aloof

Adversity

Ardor

TUMULT

Candor

Disdainful

"Odysseus in the Cave of Polyphemus" by Jacob Jordaens

Directions: On a sheet of notebook paper, please write 1 paragraph (6-8 sentences) comparing or contrasting the painting to the text. You may choose to write your paragraph comparing or contrasting:

Step 1: Choose your claim• Compare claim: The painting “Odysseus in the Cave

of Polyphemus” by Jacob Jordaens is similar to the story of the Cyclops by Homer.

• Contrast claim: The painting “Odysseus in the Cave of Polyphemus” by Jacob Jordaens is different from the story of the Cyclops by Homer.

Step 2: Choose your evidence• At least 2 pieces of evidence

o 1 piece of evidence from the painting(color, placement, archetypal image)

o 1 piece of evidence from the story (plot event, characterization, adjectives, details)

Step 3: Analyze your evidence to prove your claim

Cyclops: Art to Text Comparison

Tilla Durieux as Circe by Franz von Stuck

Circe entertaining Odysseus at a Banquet by Giovanni Paolo Pannini, 1718

Circe Indiviosa by John Williams Watergate