Art REsearch Paper

ART1113-___

XX Month XXXX

This is where you will begin your first paragraph. The information contained in this paragraph will include the description of the work of art. Description is the first step in the critical analysis process. You should describe the work in such a way that someone who has never seen the work will get a clear, accurate mental picture of the image. Remember to always start this step by writing the information from the credit line (artist, title, and date) using complete sentences. Titles of works of art should always be italicized. After writing the credit line information (using complete sentences), you will describe everything you see in the image. To help organize your thoughts, start with the objects in the foreground, and work your way to the background.

This paragraph will contain the analysis of the image. Analysis is the second step of the critical analysis process. This is where you will write about how the artist has organized the composition using the elements of art and the principles of design. It is a good idea to have a list of the terms (elements of art and principles of design) as you write. This way, you can refer to the list and then to the work to see if you find evidence of the artist using those features to organize the composition.

This paragraph will contain the interpretation of the image. This is where you will include your own personal ideas as to what the image means. Look to the previous two paragraphs for clues. Remember, the way you interpret a work of art may be different than how another person interprets the same work, and that is to be expected. Our interpretations are based on our memories and life experiences. The key is to form an idea and elaborate on it. It will not be wrong, as long as it is based on the image you are analyzing. This is the subjective nature of art at work, but this is also what makes art exciting.

The final step will be the judgment. Is the work successful or not? Why or why not? Remember to base your judgment on one of the three theories of critical analysis. The theories are as follows: formal, contextual, and expressive. If you would like to include your personal preference as it relates to the work, then I encourage you to do so, but only after you have given your academic judgment of the piece.

Works Cited (if necessary)

Place your insertion on the blank paragraph below. On the References tab, click Bibliography. Choose the very bottom option (Insert Bibliography)! After inserting the information, delete this paragraph. If you need to update any source information go to Manage Sources on the References tab and edit the source there then right click your Works Cited and choose Update Field.