Lecture 9
ARCH 2815
Art Appreciation
PART A শিল্প রসাস্বাদন / শিল্প সমাদর
Joarder HAFIZ Ullah | Assistant Professor, DUET
ARCH 2815 | Art Appreciation | A 1
We shall learn Toady about
Criticism and appreciation of visual art
Some basic guidelines can help us judge what we see
in an informed, objective way. The criticism of any
artwork usually consists of four sequential stages:
1. Observation
2. Analysis
3. Interpretation
4. Evaluation
Starry Night (1889), Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh
ARCH 2815 | Art Appreciation | A 2
ART CRITICISM
Criticism and appreciation of visual art
These are perfectly natural first responses that few people fail to have
some kind of response when they confront a work of art. Initially they
may be pleased by what they see (their preconceptions may have been
met) or they may be puzzled and find they dislike the artwork (the art
may not meet their expectations). But if critical thinking and viewing
stops at this beginning stage, only the surface is scratched and much
may remain to be experienced and felt. Essentially the goal of art
criticism is to gain deeper understanding of works of art and through
understanding is led to greater aesthetic pleasure and awareness.
One popular myth about art criticism is that it analyzes a work of art
to death. This may be true in some instances but the effect of
significant criticism is to increase the enjoyment we derive from
works of art. Innately our minds want to comprehend and take
pleasure in knowing. Usually increased knowledge about art functions
as a catalyst- opening new doors of perception.
ARCH 2815 | Art Appreciation | A 3
1. Observation
• What do I see?
• How could I describe this work of art?
• What is the subject to me?
• If it is abstract, does it remind me of anything?
• Does the artist use recognizable images? Am I familiar with
the artist’s style?
• What materials is the work made of?
• What culture produced it?
• Does it relate to other artworks I am familiar with?
• Can I relate this work to others I have seen?
Starry Night (1889), Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh
ARCH 2815 | Art Appreciation | A 4
2. Analysis
• What kinds of relationships exist among the various
elements of the artwork?
• If it uses recognizable subject matter, are the images
related to a specific theme?
• Do the shapes, colors, and visual rhythms follow certain
patterns?
• What kind of spatial reading do I get from this work? Is the
space flat, shallow, or deep?
• Does it have perspective?
• What are the unifying elements of the work?
• What gives it compositional balance and unity?
• What features stand out and enliven the work of art
through variety and spontaneity?
• How have the materials and techniques been used to
reinforce its thematic content?
Starry Night (1889), Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh
ARCH 2815 | Art Appreciation | A 5
3. Interpretation
• After I look closely at this work of art and analyze it, what
meanings does it have for me?
• How does it relate to the beliefs and concepts of the artist and
the society that produced it?
• What impact do the forms and themes of the artwork have on
me?
• What ideas does the work seem to present?
• Can I explain how the use of certain colors and organizational
devices express what I believe to be the artist’s intension?
• What feelings, memories, and associations does the work
evoke?
Starry Night (1889), Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh
ARCH 2815 | Art Appreciation | A 6
4. Evaluation
• Is this artwork significant to me?
• Why or why not?
• How would I rank this work in comparison with others by the
same artist?
• Is the work a good example of its style?
• How does this work relate to the wide range of artworks
produced over time?
• In what way is this work relevant to my life and realities of the
present day?
Starry Night (1889), Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh
ARCH 2815 | Art Appreciation | A 7
THANK YOU
ARCH 2815 | Art Appreciation | A 8
