Looking at Art5 steps for talking about artwork

#1. Describe

•Look at the artwork and LIST 15 things that you see. The list can be made up of objects, parts of objects, colours & shapes.

Do

Step #1.

List what

you see (don’t interpret).

TextText

1. man2. sheets3. feather pen4. wooden box5. letter6. knife7. ink well8. blood9. head wrap10. green11. brown12. red13. face14. text15. light source

#1. Describe

#2. Analyse

•This time look at the artwork as a space that has things placed in it. In three full sentences (or five short sentences - your choice) tell WHERE things in the artwork are placed. Try to examine relationships between things (objects, shapes, colour, etc.) in the painting.

Do step #2.

1. There is a man in the middle left of the painting.2. The upper half of the painting is a dark brownish background.3. There is a wooden box in the lower right corner.4. The man is holding a note in his left hand; that is placed in the middle area of the painting.5. There appears to be a light source casting light on the left side of the painting.

ADVANCED:A pale white man is located in the lower left half of the painting; the viewer is only able to see the man’s upper torso.

#2. Analyse

#3. Interpret•Write three sentences that explain what you think the artwork is about. Support your ideas with reasons/evidence (use the word ‘because’).

•Sometimes you may have more than one idea about the possible meaning of the artwork.

Do #3.

Make an intelligent guess what this painting is about; support your claim with smart

reasons.

1. I think that this painting isabout a man who has passed away as he seems to be peacefully resting with his eyes closed.

2. I think this painting might be about a hero who has died an awful death as he appears to look healthy but there is blood and the man looks like he has collapsed. I think he may be a hero because it seems as if the painting is a tribute (use of the note and the dramatic lighting).

3. I think this painting is based on a play because the background looks like a stage and the lighting seems unnatural.

#3. Interpret

#4. Information

•Give at least five pieces of information about the artwork. You may remember information from a class talk or you may have to do your own research. Always take notes during a class talk*.

• (*This is part of your 10% Perceiving & Responding…..)

I’ll tell you the story

behind it, you take notes.

For your test you will have to study

your notes.

#4. Information

1. This painting was createdby Jaques Louis David in 1793.

2. David was a French neo-classical painter.

3. This painting is consideredas an important political artwork about the French Revolution.

4. Neo-classical painters were strongly influenced by the works of the Greeks & Romans (‘classical’), the attention to detail and the focus on drapery are characteristic of this style.

5. This painting was created as a tribute to Marat, a French revolutionary, as was an effective piece of propaganda.

#5. Judgement

•There are two questions you have to answer here:

•#1. Is the artwork good (quality)?

•#2. Does it appeal to you (personal aesthetic)?

I think this isa good artwork as itis highly detailed and tells a good political story.

The artwork appeals to me because it is dramatic and about a real event.

This artwork does not appeal to me because I find it a bit gory; I also prefer artwork that is about modern day events.

#5. Judgement