What is the message that this work or artist sends to the viewer?

ARTT 127 Spring, 2022 Carter

Visual/Formal Analysis (Museum Paper)

OPTION #1 (Original, pre-Covid version):

Choose a work of art from an art museum in Washington, DC. or Baltimore. You must provide proof that you visited a museum (ticket stub, brochure, or email a selfie).

National Gallery of Art West Wing (European / American historic)

National Gallery of Art East Wing (Mostly Europ. / American modern, contemporary)

Museum of American Art

Hirshhorn Museum (International modern, contemporary)

The Phillips Collection (19th & 20th century art)

The Freer / Sackler Gallery (Asian art)

The Renwick Gallery (National Crafts Museum)

National Museum of African Art

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Baltimore Museum of Fine Arts

Walters Museum (Baltimore)

Description: A formal analysis includes an analysis of the forms appearing in the work you have chosen. These forms give the work its expression, message, or meaning.

To aid in writing a formal analysis, you should think as if you were describing the work of art to someone who has never seen it before. When your reader finishes reading your analysis, she/he should have a complete mental picture of what the work looks like.

Yet, the formal analysis is more than just a description of the work. It should also include a thesis statement that reflects your conclusions about the work. The thesis statement may, in general, answer a question like these:

What do I think is the meaning of this work?

What is the message that this work or artist sends to the viewer?

What is this work all about?

The thesis statement is an important element. It sets the tone for the entire paper and sets it apart from being a merely descriptive paper.

Format for the Paper: Minimum of two pages (not including title page, if you use one), black ink, double spaced, 12 pt type (Times only), 1 borders.

Make sure you proofread your papers for adhering to the information listed above, as well as incorrect grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other errors. In addition, make sure your paper includes a thesis statement. Your grade will reflect your ability to follow these guidelines.

In the first paragraph, called the introduction, you will include:

the name of the artist (if known), title (which is italicized every time you use the title in your paper), date, and medium (if known)

what you think is the subject

thesis statement – usually the last line or so of your first paragraph.

From that point, the rest of the formal analysis should include not only a description of the work, but especially those details of the work that have led you to come to your thesis.

Yet, your paper should not be a random flow of ideas about the work (i.e. stream of consciousness writing). Rather, your paper should have a sense of order, moving purposefully through your description with regard to specific elements (ex: one paragraph may deal with composition, another with a description of the figures, another with the background, another about line, etc.).

Finally, in your conclusion (the final paragraph) you should end your paper with a thoughtful reference back to your thesis.

It is important to remember that your interest here is strictly formal; NO RESEARCH IS TO BE USED IN THIS PAPER. In other words, you are strictly relying on your ability to visually read a work of art and make interpretations about it based on your analysis of it. The biography of the artists need not be referenced. Remember too that your analysis should not be just a mechanical, physical description. Please use descriptive language and adjectives to describe the work. Begin with a general description, and then move on to the more specific elements. In addition, please refer to your syllabus concerning my policy on plagiarism do not share your thesis or paper with other students and please do not work on your paper with another student. This is considered plagiarism and will result in a failing grade for the entire class.

See Sylvan Barnetts A Short Guide to Writing about Art

(Thesis and formal analysis sections)

Remember that I am also available via office hours and email

Things to consider when writing a formal analysis (in no particular order):

Keep in mind that you always need to Back Up Your Statements!

1. Record your first impression(s) of the artwork. What stands out? Is there a focal point (an area to which the composition seems to draw your eye)? If so, what formal elements contribute to this effect?

2. What is the subject of the artwork?

3. Composition: How are the parts of the work arranged? Is there a stable or unstable composition? Is it dynamic? Full of movement? Or is it static? Symmetrical, or asymmetrical?

4. Pose: If the work has figures, are the proportions believable? Realistic? Describe the pose(s). Is the figure active, calm, graceful, stiff, tense, or relaxed? Does the figure convey a mood? If there are several figures, how do they relate to each other (do they interact? not?)?

5. Proportions: Does the whole or even individual parts of the figure(s) or natural objects in the work look natural? Why did you come to this conclusion?

6. Line: Are the outlines (whether perceived or actual) smooth, fuzzy, clear? Are the main lines vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or curved, or a combination of any of these? Are the lines jagged and full of energy? Sketchy? Geometric? Curvilinear? Bold? Subtle?

7. Space: If the artist conveys space, what type of space is used? What is the relation of the main figure to the space around it? Are the main figures entirely within the space (if the artwork is a painting), or are parts of the bodies cut off by the edge of the artwork? Is the setting illusionistic, as if one could enter the space of the painting, or is it flat and two-dimensional, a space that remains only a surface pattern?

8. Texture: If a sculpture, is the surface smooth and polished or rough? Are there several textures conveyed? Where and How? If a painting, is there any texture to the paint surface? Are the brushstrokes invisible? Brushy? Sketchy? Loose and flowing? Or tight and controlled?

9. Light and Shadow: Are shadows visible? Where? Are there dark shadows, light shadows, or both? How do the shadows affect your perception of the subject, or your interpretation of the content?

10. Size: How big is the artwork? Are the figures or objects in the work life-sized, larger or smaller than life? How does the size affect the impact the work has on you?

11. Color: What type of colors are used in the work? Bright? Dull? Complementary? Does the artist use colors to draw your attention to specific areas of the work? How? If a sculpture, examine the color(s) of the medium and how they influence your reading of the piece.

12. Mood: Do you sense an overall mood in the artwork? Perhaps several different moods? If so, describe them. How does the mood influence your take on the work as a whole?

Once you have spent some time analyzing your work, notice if your first impression of the work has changed, now that you have taken a closer look. If so, how? If you came up with a thesis statement before doing this in-depth analysis, you may want to change it if your impression of the work has changed. Your thesis statement should reflect your view of the object.

OPTION #2 (Covid-Adjusted version):

Since Montgomery College is located in close proximity to several world-class collections of visual art, this assignment typically involves an actual visit to a nearby Museum or collection to view actual, original works. But due to current Covid19 conditions that option is not available for this semester. In its place you will need to select a work of visual art to experience and respond to (in written form) from internet sources. Normally the options are open to paintings, prints, photos, sculpture, architecture, and so forth. However, in order that your digital experience be a close as possible to viewing the original, you should limit your choices to 2-dimensional works no sculpture or installation. General guidelines listed above still apply.

My recommendation for a pleasant but wide and accessible range of options is to visit Google Art Project. This site provides you with preview images and multiple search categories and criteria. Like visiting a museum, it affords and encourages browsing. The initial listing looks like this:

Last Completed Projects