ARTH 289 - Indian Art and Architecture: Visual Analysis & Elements of Art

When analyzing a work of art, it's helpful to develop and apply a list of relevant questions. Consider:

• Subject matter - What is being depicted? (May require researching a related place, figure or event - e.g. from religion or mythology)
• Material and form - What is the size, shape, line, texture, color, etc.? How do these affect the way you "see" the subject?
• Social and historical contexts - When, where, and why was the work made?
• What were the artist's intentions (if known)?

Barnet's A Short Guide to Writing About Art provides many useful examples of analytical questions and is a required/recommended text for most Art History courses.

via Smarthistory

More on the Elements of Art...

•  Line       
•  Shape and Form      
•  Color      
•  Space 
•  Texture      
•  Surface and Depth       
•  Light and Shadow 

More on the Principles of Composition...

• Balance, Symmetry, & Emphasis
• Movement
• Proportion and Scale
• Pattern, Repetition, and Rhythm