Analyzing Art Answers

Answer will vary but may include the following: The rendering of color and the use of bold and basic shapes help maintain harmony in this example. However, some components have very straight, angular lines, where others have curved shapes. This subtle variety helps make the image more interesting.

Answer will vary but may include the following: Symbolic proportion is the creation of an apparent, and often deliberate, disproportion of one or more forms in a piece in order to convey a specific message. The artist has made Mary into a large figure in order to convey her greatness. The baby Jesus is also large, and possesses adult proportions, considering he is suppose to be an infant. This was done to emphasize his importance and greatness.

Balance is the arrangement of elements within a piece so that no part overpowers another. Formal balance occurs when a piece has linear symmetry, in other words, if it was divided in half, one side would mirror the other. Structural balance includes symmetry, but also involves ensuring a piece, usually a building structure, is both stable and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

The artist has used balance, harmony, variety, proportion, movement, and emphasis. Examples will vary, but may include the following: Balance is created by a vertical line of symmetry that divides through the eagle and the squares and the careful use of colors which flow from one to another. Harmony is created by the use of similar hues, and the similar square shapes on the top half, and the large square at the bottom that incorporates the eagle figure. Proportion is created by the relative size of each form in the painting, in which no part seems under or over sized. Movement is created by the vertical lines of the squares and the paint drips that lead down to the eagle at the bottom, who also has his wings down-cast diagonally to the bottom corners of the painting. The movement encourages the eye to move from the top of the painting, down to the eagle, and finally to dissipate along the wings.

Symmetry is when two halves divided by a central line are mirror images of one another. Asymmetry is the opposite, and is when there is a sense of balance achieved by placing objects or forms that are different on either side of a central line.

The principles of design include: balance, harmony, variety, proportion, movement, rhythm, and emphasis.

Answer will vary but may include the following: Movement refers to the sense of motion created by the piece when observed. In Duchamp’s Nude Descending a Staircase the figure is seen in different stages of descent. The repetition and shifting diagonal lines creates a sense of movement.

Answer will vary but may include the following: This piece of art is called Raft of the Medusa, by Théodore Géricault. Balance is created using the raft and strewn men as a base that lead up to the man emphasizes, creating a triangular shape. Variety exists with the artists use of various shapes, shadowing, and by the contrast between the people and the background seascape. Movement is created by the way the ocean appear to the eye to be in motion, which is matched by the expressions and body language of the people on the raft.

Proportion: Refers to the relationship between parts of a whole and their relation to the whole. Emphasis: Where the artist can create focal points to catch our eye. Form: Any three dimensional geometric shape. It can also refer to the visible elements of a piece.

Answer will vary but may include the following: The image is of a side profile of a woman’s head, mounted on a cubed-base. She appears to be leaning, or perhaps falling. Although the woman is obviously plastic, the apathy and surrender in her face is supported by the statement, which written vertically down the left-hand side of the picture. The eye natural goes to the woman’s eye, and then tends to drift up towards the word and the top and then down the statement, which gives the piece balance along with the use of shades and shadows creating unity.