formal analysis

Formal analysis

A necessary prerequisite for any interpretation of any object is a careful visual analysis -- a formal analysis (in the literal sense, an "analysis of the form" of the work).

Instructions

Every formal analysis paper should outline a typical sequence of background information and observations. With the exception of basic information from the museum label, you should not consult any outside sources when working on this assignment. Use your eyes and your brain, not the library.

1. Heading

Descriptive object name:

Give a succinct name to identify the object clearly. Note that ancient works of art did not have titles like modern works: do not imply that they do by italicizing your heading. Examples of good object names: "Attic black-figure amphora". Always include the museum inventory number to identify the object uniquely.

2. Background information from the museum label

Provenance: include as much information as is known and indicate the source of the information.

3. Information that you can derive by looking

State of preservation: Is the object intact, complete, partially preserved? If not intact, indicate the approximate proportion of the original that is preserved, and the approximate number of pieces. Note edges and any areas of modern restoration.

Dimensions: The purpose of this is to give your reader a sense of scale: miniature, life-size, colossal? Approximate dimensions are sufficient; you need not actually measure the sculpture. (Needless to say, you should not actually touch the pieces at any time.) Indicate whether the figures you give are the actual (i.e. original) dimensions, or the dimensions as preserved or restored. It is normal in archaeology to use units in the metric system for all measurements.

4. Form or composition :

Write your description as though you were describing the work for an audience that cannot see it: imagine that your reader has only your text, and no illustrations.

Begin with a clear general overview, then describe the various parts of the work in more detail. Describe the work in a consistent direction (e.g., from bottom to top, or top to bottom). Avoid vague or subjective vocabulary: instead of using adjectives like "angry" or "old", focus on the specific features that create the impression of anger or age (tightly pursed lips or wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, for example). In particular, you should take care not to use the word "realistic" or any of its synonyms ("lifelike", "naturalistic"): instead, describe how the work is realistic. Above all, make your description as specific and detailed as possible . "The hair is curly" is a start, but it won't get you very far, and it doesn't provide your reader with enough information to visualize the piece accurately. "The hair on the front of the head and over the forehead is divided into a series of tightly-curled spiral locks, each separated from the next by a deeply-carved groove or channel," on the other hand, is a good, specific, informative description full of concrete detail. That's what your aiming for.

Materials and techniques of execution:

Examine the surface closely for tool marks and other indications of how the sculptor worked the stone. Understanding how different parts of a work were produced or treated can provide important clues to how it was originally intended to be used.

Keep in mind that the purpose of this paper is to describe what the sculpture looks like, not what it means. In class we will be talking quite a bit about the meaning of works of sculpture and the kinds of messages they send, but that is not your job here. (These are some of the questions you might choose to explore if you were to expand this paper for the end of semester assignment.)

5. Examples for reference

If you are uncertain about what a formal analysis looks like, you may want to study some examples of formal descriptions. Here is a catalog entry for a 5th-century B.C. grave relief that you can compare with the grave relief in the entrance hall of the Worcester Art Museum. Pay special attention to the way in which the head, hair and facial features are described, and note how specific and concrete the language is.

https://www.worcesterart.org/collection/Ancient/1932.2.html

or

https://www.hamilton.edu/documents/formal analysis Art History.pdf