Analysis

Question 1

What do you need to look for when analysing a painting?

Answer 1

Figure & Pose, Setting, Story & Patron, Composition, Space, Materials, Expression & Emotion, Colour, Light, Scale.

Question 2

Title

Answer 2

Could give you an idea of who is in the painting and its historical background.

Question 3

Composition

Answer 3

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?

Question 4

Space :
Linear perspective

Answer 4

A system of creating an illusion of depth on a flat surface.

Question 5

Space :
Aerial perspective (landscape only)

Answer 5

The change in colour and tone because of the density of the atmosphere.

Question 6

Space :
Chiaroscuro

Answer 6

Alterations in tone to define space ( often drastic).

Question 7

Space :
Tenebrism

Answer 7

A spotlight effect.

Question 8

Space :
Foreshortening

Answer 8

Applied to a single person or object to create the illusion of depth.

Question 9

Space :
Overlapping

Answer 9

One object conceals another, layering creates space.

Question 10

Space :
Planes of space

Answer 10

Foreground, background, middle-ground. Where is the horizontal line and how is it placed?

Question 11

Space :
Repoussoir

Answer 11

A figure in the right or left foreground that can contrast
or lead the eye back.

Question 12

Colours

Answer 12

Neutral, Bold, Primary, Secondary, Realistic, Symbolic. Overall hue of the piece.

Question 13

The figures

Answer 13

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?

Question 14

The setting

Answer 14

What does the setting reveal about the figures? Does the setting comment on social or political/economical factors?

Question 15

Emotion

Answer 15

How is the subject interpreted through light, colour and brushwork? Are the brush-strokes visible, directional?

Question 16

Light and shade

Answer 16

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?

Question 17

Materials

Answer 17

What medium was used? Oil, Tempera, Fresco, Acrylic, Watercolour, Pencil, Chalk, Ink. Free brushwork or expressive brushwork?

Question 18

Scale

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Use of Gold :
Bole

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Use of Gold :
Water Gilding

Answer 20

Most common type of gilding. The gold is applied to a solid surface before painting. Can be polished and decorated after.

Question 21

Use of Gold :
Mordant Gilding

Answer 21

Gold leaf is applied to an adhesive mordant like oil, often done after painting. It produces a matte finish and cannot be polished.

Question 22

Use of Gold :
Sgraffito

Answer 22

Refers to the technique of scratching off layers to reveal others underneath.

Question 23

Use of Gold :
Shell gold

Answer 23

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.