Tips for evaluating Art

Before answering an art history question you will need to be able evaluate works of art. To do this I have uploaded pages which will help you understand and critique art. To understand the artist's aims and intentions there are a myriad of factors to consider- the size of the painting or sculpture, its subject matter or story, and how the different elements of the piece relate to each other. What is the artist's viewpoint and how had she or used colour, perspective, light, and shade, and how do these contribute to the qualities at the finished work.?

The following pages will explain how to read a work of art more thoroughly, and understand what the artist was trying to achieve. It will also introduce the language of art, so that you can gain the vocabulary to analyse what you see. As you begin to develop an informed sense of why you like some works of art more than others, the experience of looking at art will become more meaningful and enjoyable.