THE VALUES OF
ART
Value defines how light or dark a given color
or hue can be. Values are best understood
when visualized as a scale or gradient, from
dark to light. The more tonal variants in an
image, the lower the contrast. When shades
of similar value are used together, they also
create a low contrast image.
◦ How can we tell if an
artwork is great?
Works of art have certain
◦
standards by which all
artworks can be
measured for evaluation.
Great works of art are distinguished
by the following qualities:
◦1. Aesthetic Value –the concept of
“aesthetic value” refers to that value
which causes an object to be a “work of
art.” This is quality which appeals to our
sense of beauty.
◦2. Intellectual Value – an artwork
stimulates thought. It enriches our mental
life by making us realize fundamental
truths about ourselves, about other human
beings, and about the world around us.
◦3. Suggestiveness – this is the quality
associated with the emotional power of art.
◦ 4. Spiritual Value – art elevates the
spirit by bringing out moral values which
make us a better person. The capacity to
inspire is part of the spiritual value of art.
◦ 5. Permanence – a great work of art
endures.
◦ 6. Universality- great work of art is
timeless and timely.
◦ 7. Style – this is the peculiar way in
which an artist sees his subject, forms his
ideas, and expresses them.
◦ 8. Form- artistic forms are skeletal
structures or conceptual frameworks
designed to support or enclose parts of
the works of art.
The Four Coordinates of Art Criticism
◦ Every work of art, such as a poem, a novel,
an essay, a play, a musical piece, a painting
has four basic coordinates.
◦ 1. the subject matter
◦ 2. the artist
◦ 3. the audience
◦ 4. its own form
◦ These four coordinates of art are the bases for
the four principal approaches to art criticism
and appreciation. These four approaches are:
◦ 1. mimetic ( based on the subject matter)
◦ 2. expressive (based on the artist)
◦ 3. pragmatic ( based on the audience)
◦ 4. aesthetic or formal (based on the form)
How to Critique Artworks
◦ An art critique is an evaluation of a work of
art. While it is true that artistic taste is relative,
there are certain characteristics of artwork
that can be assessed as a means of measuring
the artist’s success at conveying the intended
message or meaning of the work in question.
◦ Art criticism is considered by some to be
an art within itself, but, although each art
critique may approach a work of art
uniquely, there is a defined protocol for
the discipline of critiquing a work of art.
You do not have to be an art history buff
or museum curator to learn how to
critique artwork. Just follow the steps:
◦ 1. Describe what you see – this is the objective
portion of the art critique. It involves a technical
description – nothing more. It should includes things
like:
◦ a. Art name
◦ b. the title of work
◦ c. type of artwork
◦ d. the subject of the painting
◦ e. objects in the painting
◦ f. first impression
◦ g. color used
◦ h. shapes, lines and textures
◦ i. light saturation
◦ j. sensory qualities
◦ 2. Analyze the artwork – evolve the art
criticism from a technical description to an in-
depth examination of how the technical elements
were utilized by the artist to create overall
impression conveyed by the artwork. Technical
elements you need to analyzed when you critique
artwork include:
◦ a. color
◦ b. shapes, forms and lines
◦ c. light and shadow
◦ d. how each technical element
◦ 3. Interpret the artwork – this part of an art
critique is more subjective than the others, as you
are expected to use your analysis of the technical
aspects of the piece of art to apply your own
supposition to the artist’s intended purpose for the
artwork.
◦ 4.Evaluate the artwork – this is a summation
of the art criticism process leading up to this
point. Use your analysis and interpretation to
draw conclusion and reach judgements about the
artwork.
◦ 5. Use art vocabulary in your art technique
– remember, there ere no incorrect description
when you critique artwork. Your goal is not to say
whether or not the art is good, but rather to
impart as best you can the visceral response the
artwork incites.
