Art History Methodology

Question 1

Physical Description

Answer 1

1. Anything physically apparent in the work.
   - Size
   - Medium
   - Signature
   - Date
   - Condition

Question 2

Iconography

Answer 2

2. Greek ‘Image Writing’
   Natural Iconography: The identification of the
   subject matter in the most basic way possible; i.e. the number of figures, their sexes, and their poses.

Conventional Iconography: The identification of the subject matter in a more detailed fashion making use of cultural, historical, literary, artistic, and scientific documents.

Question 3

Iconology

Answer 3

3. Greek ‘Image Study’
   What is the artist attempting to communicate
   through the subject matter? What is the meaning of the work?

Question 4

Formal Analysis

Answer 4

4. The technical and stylistic analysis of the work; in particular, how the artist employs the basic principles and elements of design and composition to create a particular visual effect.