How Do You Analyze A Work Of Art?
The enjoyment and understanding of a work of art can be greatly augmented through a systematic analysis of its composition, context and history. While what is seen on the surface of a painting or sculpture is significant, it is only a part of the reality that comprises a work of art. The more a viewer knows about the less visible aspects of a work, the more deeply the work of art can be appreciated. Look at the work of art from a number of different angles. Look at it from close up and from far away. Note the differences in your perception of the work that happen when it is viewed from different perspectives. Draw a schematic sketch of the basic elements of the work and try to understand the style of composition that the artist was using. For example, in many Renaissance works, artists used a pyramidal effect, with broad and heavy elements at the bottom of the work leading to narrower elements toward the top. Analyze the colors used in the work. Determine whether the palette used was i
