The process of analyzing art requires critical thinking skills; therefore, in this course we will refer to it as the Critical Process. This method of evaluation requires research and attentive observation. You will utilize the critical process when discussing works of art, particularly when completing your research paper. The format follows:

1. General Information: Title, artist, date and location created, and current location of the artwork.

2. Iconography/Subject Matter: What images are contained in the work of art? Identify the symbols and their meaning. Describe what you see.

3. Medium: Of what is the work made? How was it created? Describe the technique.

4. Form: Discuss the lines, colors, and shapes used to create the artwork. Evaluate principles such as proportion, balance, and symmetry.

5. Context: What events took place during the time in which the artwork was created? What message is the artist attempting to convey? What was life like for people in this region when the artwork was made? What was the significance of this artwork?

6. Other Information: What other relevant information can you provide about this work of art?

Let’s take a further look at each step of the Critical Process.