Formal analysis
Describe how the work is done before deciding what it means.
Key ideas
Start with the size, material, format and literal description. Then consider composition, space, light, color, line, texture and scale. Notice what attracts attention first and which way the eye moves. Separate observation and psychological interpretation.
Looking deeper
Associate the technique with the effect: “the diagonal connects two figures and enhances the movement” more accurately than “the composition is dynamic.” Check the output on several parts. Formal analysis is necessary, but does not replace context and does not automatically reveal authorial intent.
“The Big Wave”: the relationship between the foreground and the distant mountain.
Find the work in the museum's official catalog and start with a description of the visible details.Write 100 words about the work without naming the author or using evaluative adjectives.
Useful terms
- Composition
- Organization of the elements of a work: their position, scale, rhythm and relationships. The composition directs attention, but is not reduced to one rule.
- Aerial perspective
- Convey depth through changes in contrast, clarity and color as you move away. The exact effect depends on the lighting and environment.
- Genre
- Type of work by subject or task: for example, portrait, landscape or still life. Not the same as style or technique.
- Negative space
- Gaps and voids between or around forms that participate in the construction of image and volume.
External educational material or museum catalogue. The above review is not a literal translation of the source.