The Basics
Who is the artist?
What is the title?
What is the medium/material(s)?
Describing the Work
What is the subject matter of the work? Briefly describe it. Consider the work’s title; does it help you interpret what you see?
What is the style of the work – is it representational, abstract, nonobjective, or a combination? How did you come to your conclusion?
Describe its level of reference to the world around us. In other words, is it more realistic or abstract?
What is the theme of your work – for example, is it mythological, religious, social/historical, or something other?
Form and Content
What forms do you see being used by the artist? For example, size, organizational techniques/qualities, line quality, shapes, light, color, texture, pattern, space, motion, unity, variety, focal point, and emphasis. Please be specific and provide details.
In what ways do these forms influence your perception of the piece? Please explain.
Iconography and Symbols
Is the artist using any symbols to relay meaning? (note – not all artists use iconography)
If so, what are they and how are they being used?
How did you decipher their meaning?
Personal Interpretation
Why did you choose the artist and/or work of art that you did? What drew you to it and what was your initial reaction? Please explain.
What is your personal interpretation of the work? In other words, how do you, the viewer, “see” your chosen work? Please explain.
Do you have any emotional reactions to the work of art? What are they? Please explain.
If you could ask the artist one question, then what would that question be?