Brief Description In a few sentences describe the work. What does it look like? Is it a representation of something?

Assignment Question

Formal Analysis Outline Writing Guidelines Final Global Awareness Essay. 200 points. The Final submission of the Global Awareness essay should be 500 words or more with three or more academic sources included.

What is a Formal Analysis? A formal analysis is the fundamental form of writing about art and is often the first taught in any introductory art history course. In a strict formal analysis, no other information is required besides that which you can see, and while some knowledge of the subject matter helps, your focus should be on the visual elements of a work. A formal analysis focuses on aspects like line, color, composition, and style, and describes the effect of these artistic decisions on the viewer. While any formal analysis must employ a good deal of description, it is important to remember that even a pure formal analysis must always be thesis-driven and each point should tie back to the overall interpretation of the work.

Guidelines for Analysis of Art Knowing how to write a formal analysis of a work of art is a fundamental skill learned in an art appreciation-level class. Students in art history surveys and upper-level classes further develop this skill. Use this sheet as a guide when writing a formal analysis paper. Consider the following when analyzing a work of art. Not everything applies to every work of art, nor is it always useful to consider things in the order given. In any analysis, keep in mind the following: HOW and WHY is this a significant work of art? Part I – General Information In many cases, this information can be found on a label or in a gallery guidebook. There may be an artist’s statement available in the gallery. If so, indicate in your text or by a footnote or endnote to your paper where you got the information. Subject Matter (Who or What is Represented?) Artist or Architect (What person or group made it? Often this is not known. If there is a name, refer to this person as the artist or architect, not “author.” Refer to this person by their last name, not familiarly by their first name.) Date (When was it made? Is it a copy of something older?

Was it made before or after other similar works?) Provenance (Where was it made? For whom? Is it typical of the art of a geographical area?) Location (Where is the work of art now? Where was it originally located? Does the viewer look up at it, or down at it? If it is not in its original location, does the viewer see it as the artist intended? Can it be seen on all sides, or just on one?) Technique and Medium (What materials is it made of? How was it executed? How big or small is it?)

Part II – Brief Description In a few sentences describe the work. What does it look like? Is it a representation of something? Tell what is shown. Is it an abstraction of something? Tell what the subject is and what aspects are emphasized. Is it a non-objective work? Tell what elements are dominant. This section is not an analysis of the work yet, though some terms used in Part III might be used here. This section is primarily a few sentences to give the reader a sense of what the work looks like. Part III – Form This is the key part of your paper. It should be the longest section of the paper. Be sure and think about whether the work of art selected is a two-dimensional or three-dimensional work. Art Elements Line (straight, curved, angular, flowing, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, contour, thick, thin, implied, etc.) Shape (what shapes are created and how) Light and Value (source, flat, strong, contrasting, even, values, emphasis, shadows) Color (primary, secondary, mixed, complimentary, warm, cool, decorative, values) Texture and Pattern (real, implied, repeating) Space (depth, overlapping, kinds of perspective) Time and Motion Principles of Design Unity and Variety Balance (symmetry, asymmetry) Emphasis and Subordination Scale and Proportion (weight, how objects or figures relate to each other and the setting) Mass/Volume (three-dimensional art) Rhythm Function/Setting (architecture) Interior/Exterior Relationship (architecture) Part IV – Opinions and Conclusions This is the part of the paper where you go beyond description and offer a conclusion and your own informed opinion about the work. Any statements you make about the work should be based on the analysis in Part III above.

In this section, discuss how and why the key elements and principles of art used by the artist create meaning. Support your discussion of content with facts about the work. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE BELOW A sample thesis statement for the painting, Rooms by the Sea, by Edward Hopper: Edward Hopper.png Edward Hopper. Rooms by the Sea. 1951. Oil on canvas, 29 x 40”. When Edward Hopper painted Rooms by the Sea, he contrasted the warmth and comfort of home with the vast unknown of the natural world; by employing sharp angular shapes with abrupt shifts in value, and creating both intimate and vast spaces, the artist captures the possibility of choice between security and adventure. NOTE: This thesis sentence identifies the artist and the title, it continues with a brief description and then identifies the three elements the essay will elaborate on, introducing them in the order the paragraphs will take. It ends with the idea for the message‐‐underlined phrase. (This could be two sentences; divide at the semicolon.) Tips on writing the INTRODUCTION: After an eye‐catching title, include an effective hook to make the reader want to continue.

Give information on the artist and artwork. Identify the three visual elements that you will develop in the body paragraphs. The thesis statement should be the final sentence of the introductory paragraph Body Paragraph TOPIC SENTENCES: Devote at least one paragraph to each element of art. Each paragraph has its own topic sentence that connects the visual element directly to the message; this is what moves the essay from mere description to analysis. Sample topic sentences:

• “Sharp angular shapes define the structure of the rooms and emphasize the contrast between the sturdy shelter and safety of the home and the vast unknown of the world outside the door.” • “Hopper uses abrupt shifts in value to emphasize the brilliant light that both warms the house and makes the outdoor world seem inviting.”

• “A spacious entry hall suggests a place to contemplate a decision whether to stay and retreat to the cozy space of the furnished room or to leave and enter the vast space of the ocean. “ In writing the CONCLUSION give a solid sense of closure; help the reader see the artwork’s message.

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