Procedures for Critics

Seminar in Aesthetics and Criticism V. Procedures for Critics Kevin Purrone, Ph.D.

There are two main elements of a critical review.

The first is called a critical inquiry. There are four components of this inquiry: description, analysis,interpretation and judgment, all created from a critical point of view, a view which concentrates on the work's elements, principles and construction, rather than it's historical position or comparison with other works of art.

The second is called an historical inquiry. There are also four components of this inquiry: description, analysis,interpretation and judgment, but these are created from an historical point of view, a view which concentrates on the work's author,historical position in the world of the arts, and comparative comments about other work's of art within the same genre, rather than its elements and principles of construction.

Critical Inquiry

I. Description

        Create an inventory of observations about the work. Emphasize the literal components of the work.

II. Analysis

        Explain how the work is organized,using the elements and principles of the art as a starting point. Emphasize the formal components of the work.

III. Interpretation

        Develop an opinion on the meaning,mood, or idea(s) the work conveys. Emphasize the expressive components of the work.

IV. Judgment

        Is the work successful? Why? Why not?
Historical Inquiry

I. Description

        A. What is the works title?
        B. When was the work created?
        C. Where was the work created?
        D. Who is the creator?
        E. What is the medium of the work?

II. Analysis

        A. Compare the work too others by the same artist to determine its artistic style--the unique manner which the artist handles the subject matter, uses the elements and principles,or handles the medium.

        B. Is the work unique to the artist's style or does is it true to the mature style of the artist?

        C. Were other artists of that time working in the same style? Who were they?

        D. How is the style of the artists of question "C" similar or different to the style of the artist whose work you are examining?

III. Interpretation

        A. How was the artist influenced by his time and place?

        B. What were the important cotemporaneous events which occurred during the time of the work's creation?  Do these events influence the work?

        C. What personal influences does the artist reflect in the work?

IV. Judgment

        Is this work important in the history of art? Why?