Example of A Critical Analysis of One Drawing

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Example of A Critical Analysis of One DrawingA
Comparative Analysis of Two Drawings

• Drawing 1
• (In Class and Homework Assignment)

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Mark on the chart How The artist uses The
Elements of Art to further the Principles of
Design
Shape/Form
Michelangelo Study of a nude
Michelangelo The Battle of Cascina
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Michelangelos Battle of Cascina (Preparatory
drawing for an unfinished painting)
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Critical Analysis of The Battle of Cascina by
Michelangelo Using the four stages of Art
Criticism

• Description Describe what you seeThe colors
  that have been used, the general look of the
  painting. Do not bring any of your subjective
  views or opinions into your description.
• Analysis Using the list of the elements and
  principles above, see which element furthers
  which principle. For example
• The artist uses line to create balance,
  texture. etc. (go down the list for the
  appropriate pairing ..Be thorough)
• Interpretation What has the artist intended to
  say in the drawing, what does it mean? Does it
  have any symbolic content etc. At this point in
  your critical analysis you may bring your
  thoughts to the table on how the artist has
  conveyed his message etc.
• Judgement This is when you may discuss whether
  or not you like the work and decide in both a
  subjective and an objective manner whether the
  artist succeeded in her/his objectives.

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Comparative Analysis of Two Drawings

• Leonardo Da Vincis
• Leda and The Swan

suggests realized form whereas in Leda and the
swan the solid Form is realized through
cross-contour lines. The way that each of these
drawings are composed is interesting as they both
use the pyramid as a primary structure. This is
very evident in the image on the right with the
two diagonals of Ledas right arm and the swans
neck joining together at her head. In the image
on the left the diagonal lines lead the viewers
eye up to the faces of the warriors that in turn
leads us to the brink of the vortex. I think the
artists intention was to lead the viewer to the
brink of the vortex and then down to the outcome
of battle which is death and destruction. In the
image on the right we see the diagonal line lead
the viewers eye to the outcome of the union of
Leda and the swan ( the Greek God Zeus in
disguise) which are a clutch of famous offspring
that are depicted as hatching from eggs due to
the unusual coupling. Both drawings are so rich
in suggestion that it takes careful looking to
glean the most from them. It is interesting to
see just how important composition is to the
successful outcome to the artists vision and
intent.
Rubens copy of Leonardos lost Battle of
Anghiari This drawing depicts a battle scene
with three men on horseback sword fighting While
beneath them people are trampled. There is much
movement suggested Through Rubens use of
diagonal and curved lines. There is convergence
at the center of the picture where the two
diagonals meet, which together with the swirling
lines of the swords creates a vortex of movement.
The limited color scheme enables us to Appreciate
Rubens mastery of chiarascuro. One can see the
similarity of styles between the two artists.
Rubens obviously wanted to emulate Leonardos
incredible ability to suggest movement and form.
In Leda and the Swan Leonardo has used the
curvilinear form of the woman to echo that of the
swan which creates a wonderful rhythm to the
drawing. Like The Battle of Anghiari the curving
line sweeps from one side of the drawing to the
next linking the forms together which further
unifies the drawing. At the bottom left hand side
of Leda and the Swan one can see infants writhing
on the ground. Leonardos trademark of swirling
figures was obviously something that Rubens
wanted to emulate and learn from. Even though the
compositional layout is very different between
these two drawings they are both unified by the
dynamic swirling lines that outline the forms.
However they both utilize different techniques
within the forms themselves. In the Rubens copy
of Leonardos drawing he uses chalk on a colored
ground to suggest a gradation of value that
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Drawing 1 Classwork 1/ Complete a critical
analysis of one drawing. Choose a drawing that is
well worked and shows a detailed rendering of
form. Make sure that you include the title of the
drawing, the name of the artist and the date of
the work. 2/ Go through each stage of critical
analysis. You might want to use the chart. 3/
Make sure to use the right vocabulary in your
analysis. 4/ Write your analysis in complete
sentences. Homework 1/ Complete a Comparative
analysis using two drawings from a similar period
in art history. 2/ Place the two images on the
top of your page with their titles, name of
artist and date using word. And importing images
from a file (internet.) A good source is the
following http//www.artchive.com 3/ You might
probably want to go through the four stages of
art criticism for each image (in note form) on a
separate piece of paper and then write your
comparative analysis which can be a lot looser in
form. However, it still has to conform to a
similar structure with a description, analysis,
interpretation and judgment 4/ Give your written
piece a title and dont forget to put your name
on the top right hand corner.
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Name GRADING RUBRIC CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS