Seeing a well-known painting and grasping its significance are two entirely separate experiences. But you don’t have to be an art historian to start reading an artwork.
Good analysis begins with observation. Rather than asking “What does this painting mean?” right away, start by asking “What can I actually see?”
Begin With Initial Observations
Before researching the artist or the time period, give yourself time to just look at the work of art.
Ask yourself:
- What do you notice first?
- Where do your eyes go next?
- What feelings does the painting evoke?
- Is the scene tranquil, dynamic, enigmatic, disturbing?
No observations are “wrong” at this stage.
Your initial response serves as a foundation for further analysis.
Analyze the Composition
Composition describes the arrangement of the elements within an artwork.
Pay attention to the location of the figures, objects, colors, and empty space.
Trace the Flow of Sight
The artist may lead the viewer’s eye through the work using lines, contrast, perspective, scale, and positioning.
For instance, a brightly colored figure standing out against a dark background might draw your gaze.
Take note of how your eyes travel across the image.
Analyze the Colors
Colors establish mood, atmosphere, symbolism, and focal points.
A painting saturated in warm hues has a very different effect than one made up mostly of cool colors.
Note the Use of Contrast
Consider whether the artist uses sharp or gradual contrasts.
Notice:
- Light vs. dark
- Warm vs. cool
- Vivid vs. pale
- Intense vs. subdued
These decisions can tell us about the artist’s priorities or the conventions of the era.
Analyze the Light and Shadows
Light can greatly alter the message and mood of a picture.
Notice the apparent source of light and where shadows fall.
Question the Importance of Light
Is the light illuminating a particular subject or element?
Does it add to the tension?
Does it make the scene look realistic or artificial?
Light may hold symbolism in certain cultures or periods.
Analyze the People and Things
If there are humans depicted, pay attention to their poses, gestures, expressions, and interactions.
Are they facing each other or turned apart?
Are they engaging with each other or are they alone?
Things can also be significant.
Be Wary of Symbols
Flowers, books, animals, garments, religious items, weapons, and buildings can all be symbols, but their meaning depends on the context.
That said, not everything is a symbol.
Sometimes an object is just an object.
Analyze the Craft
Consider the physical process of making the artwork.
Look carefully at:
- The handling of the brush
- Texture
- Line quality.
- Perspective.
- Level of detail.
A surface that’s smooth and evenly blended doesn’t have the same effect as one that features vigorous, visible brush strokes.
Technique can reflect style
Technique is something that artists choose. For instance, they might deliberately apply paint in such a way that affects how their painting looks and feels.
Find the historical context
When you’ve studied the artwork, it’s time to go outside the picture frame.
Find out when and where it was made. What was going on in the world then? What were the key religious, political, philosophical, and cultural issues at the time?
Context can alter meaning
A particular subject can have different meanings in different periods. Context can help you understand why an artist selected a specific subject, style, and composition.
Study the artist
Researching the artist can give you some useful information. Look into their training, influences, other works, patrons, and associations with other artists.
But don’t assume that the artwork is a direct reflection of their life. Historical context and evidence from within the painting should still be the primary focus of your analysis.
Compare it with other artworks
The best way to understand an artwork is to compare it with others. Try selecting another artwork from the same period or artistic movement and finding points of similarity and difference.
Ask simple questions
What changed? What remained the same? Did artists start using different colours, subjects, techniques, or compositions?
By comparing artworks, you can begin to recognise trends that define artistic movements, rather than just knowing the names of those movements.
Don’t expect there to be just one answer
Some artworks have multiple valid interpretations. Although historical information can give us a lot of insight into an artwork, everyone may respond to it differently.
Your interpretation needs to be backed up by evidence you can actually find in the artwork.
Support your interpretation
Rather than:
“I think this painting is melancholic.”
Try:
“I think this painting is melancholic because of the gloomy palette, solitary figure, slumped posture, and lack of any interesting detail in the background.”
If you explain why you think that, your interpretation will feel more convincing.
An easy formula for analysing art
When faced with a new artwork, just remember this order: observe, describe, analyse, contextualise, interpret. First, you observe the artwork. Then you describe it in words. After that, you analyse its style and meaning. You can also contextualise it and arrive at your interpretation.
Wrap-up
To learn how to analyse art is to become more aware of what you’re seeing and to understand the relationship between visual style and historical context. Next time you’re in a gallery or stumble across a well-known painting on the internet, try pausing for a moment before looking at the explanation provided by the museum or the internet.
Look closely. Question what you see. Follow the details. I’m willing to bet that you’ll find much more to appreciate.