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The Description is the first step of the Art Critiquing Process. It is here that you are going to make observations about what you see. It is very important to remember that you must be objective. Try not to make inferences or express opinions. Consider yourself the detective at the scene of the crime. You are going to list what you see. List only the facts. Make sure you include the information from the Credit Line. You may want to check out the Credit Line first if you do not know what it is.

Jasper Johns (American) b.1930, Numbers 1939, Oil on wood

Description:

1- This is a painting by Jasper Johns.
2- It was painted in 1939.
3- The artist uses different tints of blue, golden yellow and red.
4- The painting shows overlapping numbers.
5- The painting is called Numbers.
6- The numbers take up most of the canvas.


Many of the facts come from the information found in the Credit Line. Other facts came from looking at the work and describing what is there.

Can you think of any other informational statements you could make about this painting?

Is this work abstract? Is it Realistic?


Frida Kahlo (Mexican) 1907-1954-, Self-Portrait With Monkey, Oil on canvas

Description:

1-This is a self-portrait of the artist Frida Kahlo.
2- There are three animals included in the painting: a monkey, a black cat and a black bird.
3- Large foliage fills the background.
4- The artist put in dragonflies and butterflies as well.
5- Frida is wearing a simple white shirt and a necklace with a bird pendant.
6- Frida is looking straight ahead. She does not wear a smile.
7- It looks like empty vines are wrapped around her neck and shoulders also.


What else could be added here in the Description section of the Art Critiquing Process? Remember, this important step slows down the process and forces the viewer to really study a work of art.

Claude Monet, (French) 1840-1926, Impression:Sunrise, 1872

Sometimes when you are describing a work of art, you know for certain that the work has a special classification.
This painting is a landscape, a picture of a natural outdoor setting. Information such as that can be included in the description as long as you are sure.

If you are familiar with different art styles, you may have already recognized this painting as done in an Impressionistic style.In fact, the study, or preliminary drawing, of this painting was the work that many consider the piece that launched the term Impressionism.

How would you describe the colors and the brushstrokes. Can you make out such details as the boat, the water and
a sun?

Jackson Pollock (American) 1912-1956, Full Fathom Five, 1947/48, Oil, paper, fabric, metal on wood, San Francisco Museum of Art

How would you describe this painting by Jackson Pollock?

Is is a picture of something recognizable?

A work of art created to NOT represent anything realistic is called Non-objective. A non-objective work is not only abstract, it is made up of some of the Elements of Art without giving any importance to the subject.

The expression "Art for Art's sake", has been used over and over to describe works of art such as these.

Which Elements of Art do you think Pollock focuses on in this work?

Lines, Color, Shapes?

Which Principles of Design would you say you think he used here?

Balance, Harmony, Rhythm?

What is a fathom?


Creating A Question Checklist (Computer Activity)
In Other Words (Print and Complete)