Art history- Medieval/Renaissance: museum visit paper

How do we talk about art?

Context & Composition

Geographic Context Architectural Context Socio-historical Context

Style & Subject Matter

Personality Event & Narrative Emotional Content Iconography & Symbolism

“Style is the combination of form and composition that makes a work distinctive.”

‒Stokstad & Cothren

“Style is the shaper of form.” ‒Barnet

Form Form refers “to purely visual aspects of art and architecture.”

‒Stokstad & Cothren

Elements of Design Principles of Design

Material & Medium Unity & Variety

Scale & Proportion Line (Actual & Implied) Balance Texture Shape Emphasis & Subordination (Geometric & Organic) Mass & Volume Visual Rhythm Color (Value & Harmony) Space & Perspective Time & Movement

Principles of Design Introduction to Art History

UNITY AND VARIETY Most artworks that have an effective visual impact combine both unity and variety. Unity refers to the use of forms and colors that are alike, conveying a sense of oneness and a sense of belonging together.

Variety refers to the use of different forms and colors, which often provides visual interest.

BALANCE Visual Weight refers to the apparent "heaviness" or "lightness" of visual forms.

Symmetrical Balance is achieved by identical or near-identical (mirror-like) correspondence of forms--and therefore visual weight--on either side of a central vertical axis.

Asymmetrical Balance occurs when forms on either side of a central vertical axis do not match, but a balance of visual weight is nevertheless achieved.

Radial Balance occurs when elements in a composition radiate outward from a central point.

EMPHASIS AND SUBORDINATION Emphasis refers an area in a work of art that stands out more than other areas. The emphasis of a composition usually catches your attention first.

Subordination refers to certain areas of a composition that are less visually interesting so that areas of emphasis stand out.

Focal point: When the emphasis of a composition is on a relatively small, clearly defined area. One shouldn’t confuse focal point with vanishing point. VISUAL RHYTHM Visual Rhythm: The repetition of accented and de-accented elements to create a visual "beat" in a work of art. Note, too, that repetition with variation is interesting, whereas repetition without variation can be monotonous. TIME & MOTION “Time is the element in which we live and motion is the very sign of life.” Mark Getlein Many, but not all, artworks address factors of time and movement. The work of animators and filmmakers is of course deeply concerned with time and motion.