Unit 2: Reading and Evaluating Visual Art

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Create an evaluation of selected visual art.
2. Craft a sensible process for reading visual art anchored
on Christian living.

Be critical about Art!

Answer the following questions pertaining to the artwork below.

Source: edvardmunch.org

Separation, 1896
by Edvard Munch

My Description
Explain the objects visible in the artwork.

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 My Analysis
How are the elements of visual art used in the painting?

My Interpretation
What can be said about the quality of art based on standards and proof?

My Evaluation
What situation do you see in the artwork? What emotion does the artwork imply?
Why did the artist create the work?

This time, let us learn about the considerations and criteria in

analyzing and evaluating visual art.

Using the painting of Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night, we shall apply
the different levels of analysis for visual art.

Source: fineartamerica.com

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 The Levels of Visual Art Evaluation and Techniques of Seeing

Art Criticism
1. Analysis is making sense and providing critical evaluation of specific forms of
art.
2. Evaluating art necessitates describing, critically analyzing, and evaluating
quality, meaning, and content of any form of art.

A. Different Levels of Evaluating Visual Art

1. Literal Description

This kind of process involves the gathered factual information regarding

an artwork. You are required to provide your own observation and well-thought
description of the characteristics of an artwork.

This focuses on the direct description of an artwork. In the process of

describing, much concentration and time for observation is required to create a
sensible description. A critical evaluation is not needed for this process; this
merely requires a keen eye for factual details.

The following are usually evaluated at this type of level:

a. What is the kind of art or artistic category (architecture, painting, sculpture)?
b. What is the medium used (metal, paint, clay)?
c. description of the line, color, shape and other related elements.

Example:
The painting depicts rotating objects, stars, buildings, rolling
mountains, the moon, large trees and churches. It appears to
be a night scene painted in a vantage point. There is a town
in the front or lower part, there are hills in the middle and stars
in the back part.

2. Comprehensive feeling

At this level, you are given the opportunity to express your feelings and
thoughts freely about the artwork as means of communication.

Example:
From the color used, it shows sadness and a cold atmosphere.
It can also be calm and relaxed.

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 3. Formal Analysis

The basis for this stage is from the literal description and general sense of
the work of art. At this level, you should evaluate the skill of creating, using or
manipulating tools, and the compositions or visual and visual validity of an
artwork. Answer the question, "How did the artist do it?"

The following are usually evaluated at this type of level:

a. defining the subject
b. defining the unique nature of art
c. analysis of the structure and relationship of art elements
d. analysis of the effects of using different mediums

Example:
The creator used cool blue, green, and purple, with
complementary orange and yellow lights and stars. There is a
difference in the thickness and direction of the brush strokes
and colors. There are different shapes of houses and the
organic shape of the surrounding landscapes. The motion is
created by rotating the sky and the brushstroke used. Trees
create the sense of movement that can be seen in winding lines.

4. Interpretation

It relates to information obtained from literal description, formal analysis

and knowledge derived from real events or contextual knowledge of a work of
art. It answers the question "why did the artist do it and what does it mean?"

The following are usually evaluated at this type of level:

a. basic art concept
b. overall meaning of art
c. message and idea of art in a specific cultural context
d. socio-cultural context that conforms to the creation coherence of the
artwork

Example:
The color of this artwork creates a feeling of serenity. But the
orange and yellow of the moon create a sense of excitement.
The painting shows a strong sense of hope through the bright
colors and the stars shining over the landscape and night. The
color lines and coatings used add calmness reminiscent of
rolling water.

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 5. Value Judgement

At this level, you should develop rational, emotional and comprehensive

decisions related to the entirety of the artwork from earlier levels.

The following questions are answered:

a. Is this a good kind of art?
b. What is the appropriate standard to use in the analysis?
c. What are the proofs that all the elements of art are related?
d. What can be said about the quality of art based on these standards and
proof?

Example:
This artwork has successfully used the elements and principles of
art to create a painting that expresses emotion and life by
expressing the brushstroke. The subject evokes a calm or sad
feeling while the colors are successfully used and contrasts to
create a feeling of joy and hope at night.

This is a very good impressionist painting.

B. Techniques of Seeing as Reading Visual Art

To help us read a visual artwork, Schirato and Webb (2004) present seven
techniques of seeing: selection and omission, frame, signification and evaluation,
arrangement, differentiation and connection, focus, and context. Note that these
techniques do not follow a temporal sequence: one technique influences the
other.

Study the different techniques using the sample pictures employing

perspective in photography.

Selection and Omission

Whatever we see that catches our
attention is what our eyes select while what
we do not look at is omitted.

 Which object in the photograph catches

your attention?
 Which object in the photograph does
not catch your attention?

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 Frame
The selected details or the particular
images that we focus on in a given
space form the frame.

 Which part of the photograph is

your focus directed: the upper
triangle where the men are lying,
the view of the city or the whole
photograph?

Signification and Evaluation

This refers to careful, thoughtful, and
consistent selection of content within the
frame.

 Do you think that the photograph is

staged/deliberate (the people posed for
the photograph) or was it taken
spontaneously/unplanned?

Arrangement
This refers to how the images or
symbol/signs are combined,
separated or arranged to create
the whole visual art piece.

 How are the people in the

photograph set to the
background?

Differentiation and Connection

This refers to looking at seemingly
unrelated concepts and
investigating the relationship
between signs, symbols, elements,
images and text (we also look at
the relationship of things).

 How does the photograph’s

setting make sense?

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 Focus
This refers to giving focus on an event,
person, thing or place to produce a
meaningful interpretation that
deserves attention.

 How did the photographer use lines

to give emphasis on the man in the
photograph?

Context
Context is important because it
helps you to communicate and
create a relationship with the
creator. It helps you to state
your point clearly for easier
understanding.

Images Source: boredpanda.com

From the levels of evaluating visual art and the techniques of seeing,
you, as the viewer of the art, have a critical role in interpreting an
artwork. Your analysis and evaluation gives the artwork life.

However, it has been controversial if how much of the artist’s intention should
affect your analysis and evaluation of the art piece. To better understand this, visit
the link below and watch the video entitled “Who decides what art means?” by
Hayley Levitt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoXyw909Qu0&t=87s

In three to five sentences, explain in your own understanding this question:

“Who decides what art means?”
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 From what has been discussed previously, answer the following
activities.

Examine the following picture carefully and determine what level of

visual art analysis presents the following numbers. Answer using letters only.

A. Literal Description D. Interpretation

B. Comprehensive Feelings E. Judgment
C. Formal Analysis

Source: sites.google.com

_______ 1. The creator used a sharp line to create chaos or destruction

surrounding the little child.
_______ 2. The most commonly used element of art is the use of only one color,
red.
_______ 3. This artwork contains a sad little boy with a bleeding nose and holding
a teddy bear.
_______ 4. The creator used this scene to show viewers awareness of what the
media can do to get a moving story.
_______ 5. This artwork is very powerful and will make you think because the
creator has provided a different perspective for his viewers about the
media.

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 _______ 6. The devastation surrounding the child, the blood on his face, and his
facial expression tells us the sad and uncomfortable environment.
_______ 7. The creator used a bright red color to get the attention of observers
on the blood of the child's face and on Red Cross men who wanted
to help the child.
_______ 8. There were five people around who were looking straight at the little
boy.
_______ 9. The scene is disturbing because the people around her are not
helping the innocent and crying child.

_______ 10. This artwork has succeeded in achieving and obtaining the standard
of aesthetic theory and instrumentalism.

From the picture above, how did you use the following visual reading techniques?

1. Selection and Omission (What did you select and omit from the photo? Why?)
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2. Framing (What part of the picture did you frame? Why?)

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3. Arrangement (Do you think the arrangement of objects/symbols is correct?

Why?)
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4. Differentiation and Connection (What differences and connections do you see

between the images in the picture? Why?)
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 5. Focus (What part of the picture did you focus on? Why?)
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There are different processes in reading visual art. You are now given
the opportunity to develop your own process on how to read a visual
artwork while relating it to Christian living. Follow the guidelines and be
guided by the criteria.

Guidelines:

1. Develop a 3-to-5-step process of reading visual art that is anchored on Christian

living.

2. Explain or describe every step. Limit each explanation to only 2-3 sentences.

3. Provide 3 guide questions for each step.

4. Use a flowchart to present your process.

5. Use the following format for your document:

Page orientation: Landscape
Size: Letter (short bond paper)

6. Save your document as a PDF file.

Criteria:

Developed Strategy 5 points

Explanation and Guide Questions 10 points
Mechanics 5 points
Total: 20 points

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 References:

Schirato, T. and Webb, J.( 2004) Reading the visual. Southwind Production,
Singapore
Snazlan.wordpress.com. (2017). Art critism – four levels of formal analysis.
Retrieved from https://snazlan.wordpress.com/2017/04/10/art-critism-four-
levels-of-formal-analysis/

Image Sources:
https://www.edvardmunch.org/separation.jsp
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/starry-night-print-by-vincent-van-gogh-vincent-van-
gogh.htmlhttps://www.boredpanda.com/forced-perspective-creative-angle-
photography/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
https://sites.google.com/a/pgcps.org/erhs-photography/bad-apple-resources/writing-about-art-
example

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