What is a critique?

A critique is an oral or written discussion strategy used to analyze, describe, and interpret works of art. Critiques help artists hone their persuasive oral and writing, information-gathering, and justification skills.

Below is an guide to art critique related to four major areas of art criticism: description, analysis, interpretation, judgment. 

Description

Describe the work without using value words such as "beautiful" or "ugly":

• What is the written description on the label about the work?
• What is the title and who is the artist?
• When and where was the work created?
• Describe the elements of the work (i.e., line movement, light, space).
• Describe the technical qualities of the work (i.e., tools, materials, instruments).
• Describe the subject matter. What is it all about? Are there recognizable images?

Analysis

Describe how the work is organized as a complete composition:

• How is the work constructed or planned (i.e., acts, movements, lines)?
• Identify some of the similarities throughout the work (i.e., repetition of lines, color, texture, etc.).
• Identify some of the points of emphasis in the work (i.e., light, figure, movement).
• If the work has subjects or characters, what are the relationships between or among them?

Interpretation

Describe how the work makes you think or feel:

• Describe the expressive qualities you find in the work. What expressive language would you use to describe the qualities (i.e., tragic, ugly, funny)?
• Does the work remind you of other things you have experienced (i.e., analogy or metaphor)?
• How does the work relate to other ideas or events in the world and/or in your other studies?

Judgment or Evaluation

Present your opinion of the work's success or failure:

• What qualities of the work make you feel it is a success or failure?
• Compare it with similar works that you think are good or bad.
• What criteria can you list to help others judge this work?
• How original is the work? Why do you feel this work is original or not original?

Find a work of art in the MVHS student art show and complete an essay that includes aspects of the four major areas of art criticism: description, analysis, interpretation, judgment.

Instructions: Using correct grammar, proper spelling and complete sentences. Please critique a work of art of your choice from 2023 MVHS Student Art Show compositions. Take some time walking around examining and appreciating each work of art in the library. Type at least 3-5 complete sentences per each critique step. Label each step with "description", "analysis", "interpretation", "judgement" like in the examples linked below. Include identifying information above your text: 1) Artist's name 2) Title 3) Media

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Resources links to review the Critique steps ;  

Art Criticism steps to studying a work of art Links to an external site. (English/Spanish)

How Do You Evaluate Art? (English/Spanish) Links to an external site.,

How art can help you analyze   Links to an external site.(video about 5 minutes)

Art D.A.I.J. Four steps to Evaluating Art/Analisis de Arte (Spanish) Links to an external site.

Stuck? Use this guide Links to an external site. to help you get started.

EXAMPLES:

Example Critiques, of SFMOMA Art Critiques Links to an external site. 

Example Critiques, DeYoung Collection has four examples of critiques Links to an external site.