art 101 art101 week 3 assignment formal analysis of art
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Formal Analysis of Art 1
Formal Analysis of Art
Formal Analysis of Art 2
Formal Analysis of Art Summary
There are many differences between analytical and expressive lines used in art.
Analytical lines are precise, logical, controlled, rational, and mathematically rigorous. An
example of art using analytical line can be seen in Sol LeWitt's wall drawing No. 681 (Sayre,
2010). Expressive lines tend to express use of some formal element, are loose, free, less logical,
and somewhat out of control. An example of art using expressive lines can be seen in Vincent
Van Gogh's painting "The Starry Night" (Sayre, 2010).
Generally, expressive lines are less clear logically and include characteristics more
closely associated with cultural views and bias as being identified with the female form; and
analytical lines are very logical, precise and include characteristics more closely associated with
that of the male form. Such implications as characteristics associated with these lines and how
they are employed, is shown as masculinity and the female form as it reflects the many cultural
bias of art, such as the Greeks view of the male form being strong and rational with great detail
applied to show this sense of pleasing beauty and aesthetic order, whereas the female form is
often displayed as weak and emotional in relations to the expressive line.
There are various formal qualities about the painting Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez
that make it very interesting to view. For example, I have observed the above listed painting
through conducting a formal analysis of it, and have concluded with the following observations
and interpretations of my understandings. The artist has portrayed an image of girls in the midst
as if waiting to attend the wedding. Second, the artist reflects within the painting background an
image of an artist working on a painting, while a mirrored image on the very back wall depicts
what appears to be the King and Queen. These formal qualities used by Diego Velazquez create
Formal Analysis of Art 3
many illusionistic effects, just as that of the mirror used to attract the viewer’s visibility; rather it
also portrays reflections of images that reside outside the view. In addition, the artist here has
used three primary focal-points including self-portrait, half-length, and reflected mirrored
images. However, the dimensions and depth of the painting have been obscured; this has been
accomplished through the use of various layers, shapes, colors, and tones that tend to overlap for
outstanding effects.
The formal qualities of Nighthawks by Edward Hopper are also very interesting yet,
much more simple and to the point than that of Las Menias. For example, after observing
through formal analysis I have concluded with the following observations of my understandings.
In this particular painting the artist has portrayed a café of people that appear to be emotionally
and physically unattached. In the background are buildings that are dark inside giving the
presence of nightfall. While the dim lighting outside the diner suggests nightfall, the bright white
light inside the diner illuminates and draws attention to each detail inside the diner. The artist has
accomplished many effects through the use of vibrant and rich colors, which in addition attract
the viewer’s attention toward the people. The use of this vibrant color as well as the combined
apparent depth the artist has accomplished a clean yet, very well structured and organized setting
effect. Furthermore, the vibrant and bright contrast effect of the café, in addition to the painting
title clearly depict night fall.
Reference
Formal Analysis of Art 4
Sayre, H. M. (2010). A World of Art. Sixth ed. Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle
River, NJ