Museum Visit and Formal Analysis
Photography is a fine art in its own right, and photographic imagery is often appropriated “as is” for modern creations. Pablo Picasso’s collages ushered in a new era when he chose to incorporate printed newspapers and advertisements into some of his major works. We cannot deny, however, that photographs separate us from what’s real. Photographs are not always good substitutes for the “real thing.” Why visit a museum when there are hundreds of “virtual galleries” available with the click of a button? Is art simply visual imagery, or is seeing or participating in art an essential human experience?
Step 1: Research
To begin to address these questions, you will visit a museum close to you and choose one painting to focus on . Spend 30-45 minutes examining your chosen artwork, paying special attention to the formal elements and principles of design. Also think about how these elements and principles may manifest themselves differently depending on whether you are viewing the original painting or an image of the painting. For example, are elements such as color, texture, light, and canvas size understood the same way in both cases? Or if not, how do they differ?
You can use museum information on the painting as one of your three research sources. Use the Art Research Guide to find other sources about formal analysis and the pros and cons of viewing artwork in person, or about the specific artwork you chose.
If you are having difficulties visiting a museum or you require ADA Accommodations, please contact your instructor for alternate arrangements.
Step 2: Writing
In your written essay, be sure to include the visual elements and the principles of design discussed in the course and the textbook. You should not just write a description of these elements, but rather an analysis of them. This means describing what the elements are and also explaining how they work to create a particular effect, mood, or meaning. Remember, this type of analysis requires you to stay objective. You should not make critiques or judgments about the quality or beauty of the work , but simply describe and analyze the formal elements.
