How to Critique Art

How to Critique Art

There are four stages to consider when critiquing a piece of art, they are as follows:

DESCRIPTION:

Who created it? In what year was it made? What can you see? What was used to create it?

ANALYSIS:

What colours are used? Do they create any effects to the piece? Has the piece been created in a certain way to achieve something? Does the medium or display of the piece effect how it is viewed?

INTERPRETATION:

What do you think the piece is about? Does it make you feel anything in particular? What makes you feel that way? What do you think the artist is trying to say?

JUDGEMENT:

Do you like/dislike the piece? Why?

One of the most important aspects of critiquing a piece is the WHY. Why do you feel that way? Why was that particular medium used? Why do you think the artist intended this? Why do you like it?

Particularly when it comes to personal judgments there are no right or wrong answers. Art is subjective and many people can feel differently about the same piece of art. However, it is important to back up what you say with a reason.

An Example:

(no copyright)

This painting is a piece called "Bal du Moulin de la Galette" and is by the Impressionist artist Renoir, in 1876.  The painting depicts a throng of people enjoying an afternoon at the Moulin de la Galette, with those in the foreground sitting and talking, and the rest standing and dancing. It is painted using oils, en plein air (meaning outside from life). It was painted thus due to the invention of tubes of oil paints. Previously artists had to mix and create their own paints, confining their painting more to their studios. The invention of tubed paint gave considerable freedom to artist, who could now paint wherever they get inspiration. 

The colours within this piece are not particularly bold, yet the painting does not feel dull. The Impressionist technique of capturing the "impression" of their subject matter rather than what we would consider a photographic representation results in bold, fluid brushstrokes which have added a sense of movement and life to the piece. The use of oils have helped create these visible brushstrokes, and due to the slow "drying" nature of oil paints, the layers could be manipulated over several sittings at the Moulin de la Galette. With the figures in the foreground being more in shade, and the dancing figures in the mid section in bright, dappled sunlight, the piece has a real sense of depth.

I think this piece is about showcasing how a certain class of Parisians liked to enjoy themselves. As the viewer I feel drawn into the piece, the feeling of life and movement that is created through the brushstrokes and the depiction of dappled light add a sense of hustle, bustle and noise- as if there is music I cannot quite hear. Most of the faces where the features are visible show happiness, and I feel a sense of enjoyment when I view the piece.

I like the piece. I feel it draws me in and I can imagine I am there, enjoying myself with the crowd of people depicted. I like the contrast of shade and light, and how the light is shown dappled as it has come down through the trees that have offered some people shade. I really feel Renoir has created a piece that takes us, the viewer, back in time to those Sunday afternoons at the Moulin de la Galette.