Post on 04-Apr-2018
7/29/2019 Analysis and Commentary of a Pictorial Work
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY DEPARTMENT. IES FRAY PEDRO DE URBINA
ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY OF A PICTORIAL WORK
1. TECHNICAL FEATURES
1. Title
2. Author
3. Technique and support
4. Dimensions
5. Dating: year and historical period
6. Art Movement
7. Gender: still life, portrait, landscape
8. Location
2. DESCRIPTIVE READING
To set what we get in front of our eyes, ie. the description of the scene or depicted
situation, the visual content of the picture.
3. INTERPRETIVE READING
3.1. Formal elements
3.1.1. Making of
(Note that it is not always possible to see certain elements of the making of in a paper or
electronic reproduction).
- Stroke or touch (short, long, finished, broken, loose, firm...).
- Texture: flowing, smooth, thick, rough, matte or glossy.
- Line: the existence of lines or contours, their intensity and continuity, their function
(because the lack of volume, ornamental, due to composition).
- Modeling: representation or volume achieved through gradations of light or contrasts,
soft (sfumato) or violent (chiaroscuro).
- Light: type (natural, artificial, studio); origin in a specific focus (lamp, sun) or arising
from the object itself, intensity and contrast with the shadows; function (volume creation,support in perspective, expressive values).
- Color: range used (cold, warm) and shades, its nature (local / realistic or symbolic)
relationship with light and modeled (flat or blended colors), function in the work (primary
or secondary).
- Perspective: disinterest in space and depth (characteristics of the background), interest
in spatial representation, type of perspective used (cavalier, linear, aerial, cubist ...); other
technical resources (landscape or architectural scenes, a variety of plans, use of light,
foreshortening).
- Composition: distribution of figures (simple or complex); formal structure (linear [axis of
symmetry, diagonal, curved], geometric [triangular or pyramidal, pentagonal ...]); internal
motion (dynamic or static composition, achieved by resources as the movement of the
figures, the distribution of light and color...); expressive value of the composition, its
7/29/2019 Analysis and Commentary of a Pictorial Work
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potential originality.
3.1.2. Forms of expression.
Abstract or figurative.
Naturalistic: idealism (archetypal beauty interest) or realism (fidelity to the model).
Antinaturalistic: symbolism, stylized, hieratic, and hierarchical conventions of all kinds ...Elements of Expression:
Anatomy: right or wrong, proportions, scale, muscle ...
Robes and folds. Function: hide or show the body, movement ... Shape, size and depth of
the folds, angular or wavy, thin or heavy.
Elements of Nature (landscapes, trees, roads, rivers, springs, etc.) or interior (furniture,
etc.).
Temporal dimension of the work: eternal or ephemeral.
3.2. The depicted: content elements
By studying the content it has a place the knowledge of the work we have, even that can
not be seen in the picture, whenever provide a better understanding of it. The diagram
below is flexible enough to be applicable to any sample, so that depending on the
circumstances, we can make in-depth treatment of one or another aspect.
3.2.1. Content and function
Theme of the painting (which the artist has highlighted, the message or idea or complex of
ideas that the table attempts to transmit).
Way to represent: Iconography (how it is represented, traditionally or innovatively) and
symbolism. The iconography and symbolism of a table always have to do with cultural
references (religious, mythological, historical, political) and the more or less codified way
in which they have been treated by previous painting.Function at the time of its creation: mythical, religious, magical, civic, political, educational
...
3.2.2. The context of the work
Circumstances of its execution and relationship with the sociocultural context in which it
appears.
Possible precedent works.
Its importance in the total production of the artist.
Its significance to art history (influence on other later works).
3.2.3. The AuthorBrief review of the authors life, with emphasis on the circumstances that affect the work
under study.
4. ASSESS READING
Synthesis of the relevant formal and content aspects and comprehensive personal
assessment of the picture.