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Analysis is the second step of the Art Critiquing process. In this section you will answer the question: How is this work organized? Here is where your knowledge of the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design play an important role. Using combinations of these, the artist creates the mood of the work or expresses a particular point of view or message. If you haven't reviewed the Elements Of Art and the Principles of Design, make sure you do so now.

Pablo Picasso, Spanish (1881 - 1973), Guernica, 1937 Mural
Reina Sophia Museum, Spain
Before doing the Analysis, it helps to have a checklist of the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design. Not every Element or Principle will be used in every work of art. Fine tune your observation skills and see which ones Picasso used in this work.

Looking at this checklist, which Elements of Art and Principles of Design did Picasso use to create this poignant mural? Let's try this one together. Look at the Elements of Art list. How does Picasso use them?
The Check List

Elements Of Art

Line
Shape

Space

Form

Texture

Value

Color

LinePicasso uses line to divide his painting into random geometric and angular areas. He uses line to draw in his figures. Picasso uses a heavy black outline to define important areas. If you look carefully, you will notice that the painting is divided by two diagonal lines that intersect at the center.
ShapeThe mural is divided into organic and geometric shapes.
SpacePicasso divides the negative space (or background space) into angular areas of shades of gray.
Form Picasso gives some three-dimensionality to his figures through simple shades and values of the color gray.
TextureNot a major Element in this work.
Value He uses many different shades and tints of the color gray. He also included areas of pure white and black.
Color Guernica is a mural made up of a monochromatic color scheme. It appears to be done in "Grayscale". There are no other colors used but the different values of gray.
Principles Of Design
Balance

Proportion

Rhythm & Movement

Emphasis & Variety

Harmony & Unity
BalanceThe mural appears Balanced because the images and shapes span the entire surface.
ProportionPicasso deliberately distorts the proportion of the animals and figures he has created. They look almost like something from a nightmare. The figures are stretched and contorted and twisted.
RhythmX&XMovementThe angles of the heads and the reaching arms seem to give the figures the appearance of movement.
EmphasisX&XVarietyNo one area seems to be emphasized more than another. Picasso's use of white does make certain figures seem like they are closer to the viewer.
HarmonyX&XUnityThe use of values of gray and the uniquely drawn figures give this piece a sense of visual harmony. The mural definitely appears to be Unified.XXX
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On April 27th, 1937, unprecedented atrocities are perpetrated on behalf of Franco against the civilian
population of a little Basque village of Guernica in northern Spain. Chosen for bombing practice by Hitler's new war machine, the little city is pounded with high-explosive and incendiary bombs for over three hours. Townspeople are cut down as they run from the crumbling buildings. Guernica burns for three days. Sixteen hundred civilians are killed or wounded. This powerful painting captures Picasso's horror at the brutal destruction that man commits against man. This monumental work tells the story.

Edward Hopper (American) 19-19 Nighthawks 1942 Oil on Canvas 30 x 60 inches
The Art Institute Of Chicago, USA
Look at this work by American artist Edward Hopper. Using the checklist, how did Hopper organize the
Elements of Art and the Principles of Design in this work?

Composition, or how the different Elements of Art and the subjects are arranged in a work of art, should also be considered when making an Analysis. How is this work composed?
Look at how the artist broke up the canvas into a series of horizontal and vertical lines. Notice that the lines and the shapes made by the lines create an organized and balanced composition.

Now look at the area highlighted in red. Hopper chose to place the four figures to the right side of the painting. He also chose to light up this area. The additional light draws the eye to this section.

Why do you think artists make such decisions when composing a work of art?

Jacob Lawrence, American (1917-2000), Paper Boats, 1949
Tempera on board, 18 x 24 inches, Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and
Sculpture Garden, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Review the checklist of Elements of Art and Principles of Design. How does Lawrence use these to create this painting?

Which Elements of Art do you think Lawrence emphasized in this work? Line, Color and Shape seem to be the Elements of Art that really stand out.

What do you notice about the Colors? If you said he used the Primary Colors, you would be correct (and very smart). His colors are flat. Lawrence did not use a lot of shading and tinting to give his figures a three-dimensional look.

Notice the strong vertical and horizontal lines created by the areas defined by the colors. Look at the strong dark lines in the background. (These have been outlined with yellow below so you could see them clearly.

Most of the areas created by the colors could be considered angular, geometric shapes. What Lawrence also did was create a shape with the placement of the three boys. Notice that the bodies create a triangle. (You can see this with the blue outline.) This was a deliberate consideration made by Lawrence when he was composing the position of the boys.

Can you guess why he chose the triangle? Look at other works of art and see if you can find the triangle in the composition.

Look at the three boys playing with paper boats. Notice how the three figures form a triangle. Use of a
visual triangle is very common in paintings. The triangle represents strength and stability. What does
that say about the relationship of these three young men?
Lawrence selected the Primary Colors and some shades and tints of those colors. By using a
limited color palette, what does he hope to achieve?
Look at the direction of the lines in this work. Lawrence includes part of a window and fire escape.
Why do you think he added those into the background? Where does this painting take place? Rural or
urban environment?
Notice the broad use of flat colors over large areas. There is very little shading. You are aware of the
shapes and colors. Why is this important?
 

The Check List X(Print and Complete)
What Do You Think? (Computer Activity)
Pure Visual Poetry (Studio Activity)