Analysing Artworks

Summary:
In this lesson students learn how to analyse any artwork by looking in detail at media, composition, context, view point, subject matter, to name a few. The artwork used in this lesson is Franz Marc’s “Regen”, however the skills can be applied to any piece. The aim is to support students to analyse their own artworks and those of other artists creatively and independently with artistic insight.

Australian Curriculum Links:
Explore ideas and practices used by artists, including practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, to represent different views, beliefs and opinions (ACAVAM114)
Explain how visual arts conventions communicate meaning by comparing artworks from different social, cultural and historical contexts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks (ACAVAR117)
Identify and connect specific features and purposes of visual artworks from contemporary and past times to explore viewpoints and enrich their art-making, starting with Australian artworks including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (ACAVAR124)
Analyse a range of visual artworks from contemporary and past times to explore differing viewpoints and enrich their visual art-making, starting with Australian artworks, including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and consider international artworks (ACAVAR131)

UK Curriculum Links:
Review, think about and discuss their own work and the work of others, develop a critical and technical vocabulary relevant to art, craft and design and to the creative, media and design industries and the museum and gallery sector
Become visually perceptive and visually literate through looking, thinking, recognising, interpreting and understanding art, craft and design as a medium of communication and meaning which uses visual symbols and icons
Develop reading and writing skills alongside speaking and listening skills as they research, communicate, analyze, critically evaluate and review their own work and the work of significant artists, craftspeople, architects and designers and make visits to the museum and gallery sector.

USA Curriculum Links:
Explain how a person’s aesthetic choices are influenced by culture and environment and impact the visual image that one conveys to others (VA:Re.7.1.8a)
Compare and contrast contexts and media in which viewers encounter images that influence ideas, emotions, and actions (VA:Re.7.2.8a)
Interpret art by analyzing how the interaction of subject matter, characteristics of form and structure, use of media, artmaking approaches, and relevant contextual information contributes to understanding messages or ideas and mood conveyed (VA:Re8.1.8a )
Create a convincing and logical argument to support an evaluation of art (VA:Re9.1.8a)