How to Describe a Work of Art
Before You Begin
Knowing the name of the artist who created the work is nice, and if you know it, you should certainly give the artist the credit he deserves. Knowing something about the life of the artist is also nice and sometimes can even help the viewer understand something more about the artwork, but it is not always essential.
Similarly, being able to identify what school a work of art belongs to is also nice.
But what if the artist is unknown? What if you have never taken a history of art class? Does that mean you cannot describe a work of art or appreciate it? Of course not.
The first step to describing a work of art is to take the time to look at it closely and to try to understand what you see. Everything else comes after that.
In a short essay of 200-300 words, you have to concentrate on the essentials. Give the artist's name if you know it, but leave the biography and putting the piece into historical context for a longer research paper.
Similarly, being able to identify what school a work of art belongs to is also nice.
But what if the artist is unknown? What if you have never taken a history of art class? Does that mean you cannot describe a work of art or appreciate it? Of course not.
The first step to describing a work of art is to take the time to look at it closely and to try to understand what you see. Everything else comes after that.
In a short essay of 200-300 words, you have to concentrate on the essentials. Give the artist's name if you know it, but leave the biography and putting the piece into historical context for a longer research paper.
Strategy
Make a statement of the general subject, composition, or, in the case of sculpture, form of the piece of art that you want to describe.
A general statement of the subject helps the reader to understand what you are going to describe and prepares him for the details you will add.
Describe the piece in a detailed and systematic way.
Arrange your description logically and present it systematically. The most obvious place to start is from the focal point, that is, the point in the picture that attracts your attention. However, depending on the subject, you can also organise your description from left to right, right to left, top to bottom or bottom to top.
Your description should contain
· the most important figures – people, buildings, natural features, animals, etc.
· the most prominent elements of painting – colour, line, shapes, texture, etc.
Use directional words to help the reader follow your description: to the right/left of ...; in the upper/lower left corner; diagonally; across from; beside; etc.
Based on the subject and the details you have noticed, make a statement of the work's theme, or message.
Do not confuse the theme with the subject. The subject is the thing or person portrayed or what is happening. The theme is the underlying idea (life, death, family life, power, religious devotion, etc.).
Consider the effect the piece produces in the viewer.
Don't stop your analysis at a superficial level – go deeper than just 'I like the painting' or 'I don't like this work'. Based on what you understand from the subject, from how the artist has used colour, lines, composition, etc., and the theme, what effect did the artist want to create?
Consider whether or not the artist has succeeded in transmitting his message effectively.
This is a deeper level of analysis and is based on your understanding of subject, details, theme, and effects on the viewer.
Other points you can consider:
Does the work appeal to the viewer's emotions or to his thoughts?
Are there dominant colours or lines? What effect do they create?
What is the composition and perspective used?
Does the artist use any symbols that you can recognise?
A general statement of the subject helps the reader to understand what you are going to describe and prepares him for the details you will add.
Describe the piece in a detailed and systematic way.
Arrange your description logically and present it systematically. The most obvious place to start is from the focal point, that is, the point in the picture that attracts your attention. However, depending on the subject, you can also organise your description from left to right, right to left, top to bottom or bottom to top.
Your description should contain
· the most important figures – people, buildings, natural features, animals, etc.
· the most prominent elements of painting – colour, line, shapes, texture, etc.
Use directional words to help the reader follow your description: to the right/left of ...; in the upper/lower left corner; diagonally; across from; beside; etc.
Based on the subject and the details you have noticed, make a statement of the work's theme, or message.
Do not confuse the theme with the subject. The subject is the thing or person portrayed or what is happening. The theme is the underlying idea (life, death, family life, power, religious devotion, etc.).
Consider the effect the piece produces in the viewer.
Don't stop your analysis at a superficial level – go deeper than just 'I like the painting' or 'I don't like this work'. Based on what you understand from the subject, from how the artist has used colour, lines, composition, etc., and the theme, what effect did the artist want to create?
Consider whether or not the artist has succeeded in transmitting his message effectively.
This is a deeper level of analysis and is based on your understanding of subject, details, theme, and effects on the viewer.
Other points you can consider:
Does the work appeal to the viewer's emotions or to his thoughts?
Are there dominant colours or lines? What effect do they create?
What is the composition and perspective used?
Does the artist use any symbols that you can recognise?
Vocabulary
Art, like every field, has its own specialised vocabulary. Learning and using the correct vocabulary will help you think more precisely and express yourself more clearly. Without the right words, it is more difficult to understand what you see.
False friends
rappresentare is not represent; use depict or portray
composizione is not always composition
canvas cannot be used as a synonym for painting
Here are some web pages that will help you with vocabulary to describe the elements of painting (colour, line, distance, shape, etc.) and the principles of painting (composition, balance, rhythm, symmetry, contrast, etc.).
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/word-lists/list-of-descriptive-words-to-critique-art.html
http://painting.about.com/od/art-critique/tp/art-words-list.htm
http://www.eslincanada.com/english/englishlesson10.php
When you have studied the vocabulary for the basic elements of art, try to do this quiz:
http://quizlet.com/7033321/elements-of-art-definitions-flash-cards/
False friends
rappresentare is not represent; use depict or portray
composizione is not always composition
canvas cannot be used as a synonym for painting
Here are some web pages that will help you with vocabulary to describe the elements of painting (colour, line, distance, shape, etc.) and the principles of painting (composition, balance, rhythm, symmetry, contrast, etc.).
http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/word-lists/list-of-descriptive-words-to-critique-art.html
http://painting.about.com/od/art-critique/tp/art-words-list.htm
http://www.eslincanada.com/english/englishlesson10.php
When you have studied the vocabulary for the basic elements of art, try to do this quiz:
http://quizlet.com/7033321/elements-of-art-definitions-flash-cards/