Questions to Ask for a Formal Analysis (2024)

Formal analysis focuses on understanding what an artist wants to convey. The main elements to consider are color, line, space and mass, and scale. Together, these factors make up the composition of a piece, and we must consider each of them when making a formal analysis.

There are some general questions to ask that relate to any artwork. There are also specific questions for art in different medias. (All of the following questions are taken directly from Anne D’Alleva’sLook! The Fundamentals of Art History(2006).

General questions:

1. What does the artist emphasize visually? What first attracts the viewer’s attention?
2. How does the artist emphasize this feature/these features visually? Through scale, line, color, etc?
3. Is there an underlying rhythm, pattern, or geometric structure to the composition?
4. Does thecomposition scene unified; that is, did elements appear integrated or separate and distinct from each other?
5. How can the emotion or idea evokedby this piece be described? How is this achieved visually?
6. What is the viewer’s position in relation to the work? Is the composition large or small scale? Is it horizontal or vertical in orientation? How do these characteristics alter the viewers perception of the work?
7. Is the work figurative or abstract?

Two-dimensional art: painting, graphic, arts, photography

1. How is color used? Arecolors saturated? Where are the brightest colors? The darkest colors? Is there wide wide range of colors or a narrow range of colors? Do the colors contrast or blend? Do the colors create a sense of calm ora sense of drama and excitement? Are they used to emphasize certain forms or elements in the work?
2. Can you see the marks of the tools — pencil, brush, burin? Does the work seem highly finished or rough and unfinished? How do these qualities contribute to the overall effect of the work?
3. Is there a strong contrast between areas of light and dark? Doesthis help to create the illusion of three-dimensional forms existing inspace, or do the elements of the painting remain flat, emphasizing the picture plane?
4. Does the artist try to create an illusion of depth, or does he or she use techniques to make the vieweraware of the picture plane?
5. How are forms defined, through line or shading?
6. Is there sense of texture or a smooth surface?

Sculpture

1. What is the viewpoint suggested by the work? Does the sculpture visually leadthe viewer to move around it and viewit from different angles, or does it seem to guide the viewer to one position?
2. What materials are used? How do they contribute to the work’s form? Do the materials make open spaces within the sculpture possible, or do they require a more block-like form?
3. Does the sculpture emphasizes sense of volume, of three-dimensional form, or of flatness?
4. Does this sculpture use the play of light over the surface to create a pattern of lights and shadows? Does this emphasize the three-dimensional form or flatness? Does it create a sense of drama or movement?
5. If the surface of the sculpture is colored, how does that affect the viewers perception of the work? Does color served to emphasize certain features of the work? Does it make the work seem more or less three-dimensional?
6. What is the texture of the surface? Is it smooth or rough, dull or shiny?

Architecture

1. What is the scale of the building in relation to humans?
2. What parts of the building seem to be emphasized? Is the system of design readily apparent? Does the building appear to be composed of geometric or more organic (soft and curving) forms?
3. Does the building seam accessible to the viewer from the outside? How large and visible are doors and windows?
4. Does the building convey a sense of solidity or of the interplay of solids and negative spaces? Do the forms of the building use light and shadow to break up the sense of solidity? Is there a play of light and dark across the surface?
5. How are ornaments used on the building? Do the ornaments enhance the viewer’s awareness of three-dimensional form, Or do they emphasize the building’s surface?
6. How does the building fit its environment? Does it seem to be distinct from or part of its surroundings? How does it change the viewer’s perception of those surroundings?
7. Is the interior divided into rooms or is it one open space? How does the arrangement of interior spaces help either to move the viewer through the building, or hinder the viewer’s movement through the building? Which spaces are readily accessible and which are remote or blocked off?
8. Is there a range of large and small spaces within the building? More or less elaborate spaces? Which spaces are most accessible?

Installation art

1. What since of space is created by the installation? How does the artist work with the environment or surroundings? Is it an installation viewer can enter and interact with, or does the viewer stay outside the space?
2. What effect does the environment created by the installation have on the viewer? Does it come across as overwhelming—does it dwarf the viewer—or make the viewer feel large? How does the scale of the elements work?
3. How do light, color, and texture affect this sense of space and the viewers experience of the environment
4. Does the installation change overtime (perhaps through the participation of viewers, or through the decay of materials it incorporates)?

Performance art

1. Does the performance piece seen improvisational, or planned and rehearsed?
2. How does the artist interact with the audience? Does the audience remained relatively uninvolved, or does the audience participate in the performance? Is the audience’s reaction or participation guided by the artist, or is it in uncontrolled aspect of the performance?
3. Is the space important to the performance? Has the artists alter the performance space in anyway?
4. How are words, music, and gestures used?
5. What is the presentation of the artist’s body? What clothing and/or accessories does he or she wear?

Digital art

1. What role does digital technology play in the creation of this work? What effects does it make possible that would not have been possible otherwise?
2. Do these effects heighten the sense of reality or of fantasyin the work? That is, do they make the image seem more or less “real”?
3. How does the digital technology invite the viewer to participate in the piece?

Textile and decorative arts

1. Is the function of the object immediately evident? How is the object designed to be functional? Are there aspects of the design that could hinder its functionality?
2. How are materials used? Is there an emphasis on richness or variety of materials?
3. Is there an emphasis on texture? How would this object feel to the touch?
4. Is there an emphasis on simplicity or complexity of form and design? Are there figural and/or geometric elements on the surface? Do the decorative elements, if any, make reference to the function of thepiece?
5. What is the role of color or line in shaping the viewer’s perception of the work?
6. For textiles specifically, What techniques have been used to create the cloth (for example felting, weaving, plaiting, quilting, or appliqué)? Is it close weaveor an openweave? Is the design simple or intricate? What yarns are used (for example cotton, linen, sheep’s wool, llama wool)? Does the textile incorporate other materials, such as glass or wood beads, or sequins