FA 201/202 STUDY GUIDE

To DISCUSS and understand works of art, know the following types of information about them - the keys to why they are important in art history. These include their:

A. PURPOSE - How an art work is used, its function. Related ideas: how does the work achieve its purpose - visually, in terms of materials used, etc. To whom is the work of art addressed - that is, who is the audience? Who sees it or uses it? Functions are often multiple and overlapping. An object may serve more than one function at the same time. Some functions: funerary, religious, governmental/power, record of historical event, status symbol, decoration, artist's personal expression, etc.

B. SUBJECT/ICONOGRAPHY/CONTENT - What is the message or content of the work? What symbolism does it employ, if any? What do the symbols mean and to what to they refer? How do they change or enhance the subject? Try to understand the difference between subject (the obvious story being told or figure represented, what the viewer knows) and content (the "real" or other layers of meaning the work may contain, what the viewer feels).

C. CONTEXT/HISTORICAL POSITION - What were the economic, social, political, philosophical circumstances or conditions when the work was made? How do these affect the artist, her or his work? How are they relevant or not to the work of art?

D. STYLE - An artwork's "characteristic manner." How an art work looks; its characteristic visual form. These are related to its formal elements and their principles of design. In addition, one has to consider the artist's approach. Often there are rules for a given society, visual traditions that are followed. Some questions to ask when thinking about style:
FORMAL ELEMENTS:
1) LINE - the path of a moving point. What is the character of the line: delicate/thick, crisp/soft, descriptive, outline?
2) SHAPE/FORM - defined space. What is the overall shape of a work? Does it have mass, volume?
3) SPACE - is 3 dimensional space (an illusion of depth) indicated? If so, how? Which system of perspective is used, if any? linear, atmospheric or aerial, overlap, size diminution?
4) COLOR - qualities of light as relationships of value, hue, intensity. How is it used: warm/cool; earth tones or primary colors?
5) LIGHT /SHADE - are there dark/light patterns, natural or artificial lighting, from one source or diffused? What is the effect of light on sculpture and architecture?
6) TEXTURE - illusion of, or reference to, tactility. What is the surface treatment like (look like): rough, smooth, furry, abrasive?

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN:
1) COMPOSITION - the arrangement or organization of forms.Where are things placed? Are there one or more focal points?
2) MOVEMENT - do the forms or lines imply movement or activity? Is there a rhythmical quality? Are the lines predominantly circular, straight, diagonal? What effect does this have?
3) SCALE - relative size, especially to human size. Is hierarchical scale used?
4) PROPORTION - relationship of each part of the work to the whole. Is some part of a work (human body, building, e.g.) emphasized by its unusually large size?
5) RHYTHM AND REPETITION - Do certain motifs, design elements repeat? in a regular and orderly way, so as to set up a rhythm or pattern?
6) BALANCE AND SYMMETRY- Is it balanced or not? Stable or unstable? Symmetrical or assymetrical?
What effect do these have on the work's ability to convey its message, serve its purpose? What is the relationship between these: style, purpose, subject, historical context??

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