Analysis Flashcards
(23 cards)
What do you need to look for when analysing a painting?
Figure & Pose, Setting, Story & Patron, Composition, Space, Materials, Expression & Emotion, Colour, Light, Scale.
Title
Could give you an idea of who is in the painting and its historical background.
Composition
Look at the placement of people or objects ( is it central, asymmetrical etc.). The orientation could be significant. If it looks to be cutting something off does it create more space?
Space :
Linear perspective
A system of creating an illusion of depth on a flat surface.
Space :
Aerial perspective (landscape only)
The change in colour and tone because of the density of the atmosphere.
Space :
Chiaroscuro
Alterations in tone to define space ( often drastic).
Space :
Tenebrism
A spotlight effect.
Space :
Foreshortening
Applied to a single person or object to create the illusion of depth.
Space :
Overlapping
One object conceals another, layering creates space.
Space :
Planes of space
Foreground, background, middle-ground. Where is the horizontal line and how is it placed?
Space :
Repoussoir
A figure in the right or left foreground that can contrast
or lead the eye back.
Colours
Neutral, Bold, Primary, Secondary, Realistic, Symbolic. Overall hue of the piece.
The figures
Who are they? How are they painted (Naturalistically/ Stylised) ? What are they doing (Stood, Sitting) ? What features have been emphasised? Are the figures near or far? Do the figures involve the onlooker?
The setting
What does the setting reveal about the figures? Does the setting comment on social or political/economical factors?
Emotion
How is the subject interpreted through light, colour and brushwork? Are the brush-strokes visible, directional?
Light and shade
Used to define shape, emotion and the atmosphere. Locate the light source. Is it natural or artificial? Is there more than one? Are the shadows sharp or diffused? What colour are the shadows?
Materials
What medium was used? Oil, Tempera, Fresco, Acrylic, Watercolour, Pencil, Chalk, Ink. Free brushwork or expressive brushwork?
Scale
Often shows how the viewer relates to the painting. Life sized to involve the viewer, greater than life shows power and grandeur, or smaller than life creating a more intimate, detailed experience.
Use of Gold :
Bole
Bole is a type of clay (red due to iron oxide). It is used as an under layer prior to the application of gold leaf. Makes the gold appear richer in tone.
Use of Gold :
Water Gilding
Most common type of gilding. The gold is applied to a solid surface before painting. Can be polished and decorated after.
Use of Gold :
Mordant Gilding
Gold leaf is applied to an adhesive mordant like oil, often done after painting. It produces a matte finish and cannot be polished.
Use of Gold :
Sgraffito
Refers to the technique of scratching off layers to reveal others underneath.
Use of Gold :
Shell gold
Powdered gold can be mixed with a binder (like gum arabic) to make gold paint. Appears quite dull and used only in areas of fine decoration.
