Art Criticism & Interpretation

What are the four common steps in formal art criticism?

Describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate/judge

What is the difference between the "subject" and the "medium" of an artwork?

The subject is what the artwork depicts or is about; the medium is the physical material used to create it (e.g. oil paint, clay, charcoal)

What does it mean to "interpret" an artwork, in art criticism?

To explain the meaning or message the artwork might be communicating, based on its content and context

What is composition, in visual art?

The arrangement of visual elements within an artwork

What is the purpose of describing an artwork before analyzing or interpreting it?

To objectively note what is visible before adding personal judgment or interpretation