"Art criticism is the discussion or evaluation of visual art. Art critics usually criticize art in the context of aesthetics or the theory of beauty."
The art of analyzing and evaluating works of art, including techniques, styles, and historical context.
Art history: The study of the development of art from ancient civilizations to modern times.
Elements and principles of design: The fundamental building blocks of all visual arts.
Formal analysis: The examination of the visual elements and principles of a work of art.
Iconography: The study of the symbolism used in a work of art.
Style: The particular way in which an artist implements visual elements.
Contextual analysis: The examination of the social, historical, and cultural context surrounding a work of art.
Subject matter: The content or theme depicted in a work of art.
Audience reception: The ways in which a specific audience responds to a work of art.
Art criticism methodologies: The various methods used to analyze and evaluate works of art.
Art theory: The study of the philosophy and aesthetics of art.
Art movements: The various styles and tendencies in visual art throughout history.
Art critique: The process of evaluating and providing feedback on a work of art.
Art appreciation: The cultivation of an understanding and love for art.
Formal Criticism: This type of criticism analyzes the elements and principles of art, such as color, line, texture, shape, balance, and composition. It usually focuses on technical aspects of the artwork.
Structural Criticism: This type of criticism examines the art's ability to convey meaning through form and structure. It usually focuses on how the artwork is organized and structured.
Historical Criticism: This type of criticism explores the meaning of a work of art within its historical context. It examines how the artwork reflects the time, place, and cultural values in which it was created.
Contextual Criticism: This type of criticism studies the meaning of an artwork in relation to its surrounding culture and society. It considers the cultural, social, and political context in which the work was created.
Psychoanalytical Criticism: This type of criticism analyzes the unconscious desires and motivations of the artist and its relation to the artwork. It usually focuses on the psychological aspects of an artwork.
Feminist Criticism: This type of criticism examines the role of gender in the creation, interpretation, and reception of art. It explores how gender affects the artwork and its reception.
Marxist Criticism: This type of criticism examines the relationship between art and economic and social conditions. It explores how class, power, and ideology shape the artwork.
Postmodern Criticism: This type of criticism challenges traditional ideas and values in art. It explores how cultural and linguistic systems shape the meaning of an artwork.
Deconstructionist Criticism: This type of criticism analyzes the power relations in the creation and interpretation of an artwork. It questions the authority and meaning of the artwork.
Queer Criticism: This type of criticism examines art's relationship to LGBTQ+ subjects, histories, experiences, and representations. It explores how sexual identities and orientations shape art's meaning and effect.
"A goal of art criticism is the pursuit of a rational basis for art appreciation."
"It is questionable whether such criticism can transcend prevailing socio-political circumstances."
"The variety of artistic movements has resulted in a division of art criticism into different disciplines which may each use different criteria for their judgments."
"The most common division in the field of criticism is between historical criticism and evaluation, a form of art history, and contemporary criticism of work by living artists."
"Opinions of current art are always liable to drastic corrections with the passage of time."
"Artists have often had an uneasy relationship with their critics. Artists usually need positive opinions from critics for their work to be viewed and purchased."
"Art can be objective or subjective based on personal preference toward aesthetics and form."
"There are many different variables that determine one's judgment of art such as aesthetics, cognition or perception."
"Art can be based on the elements and principle of design and by social and cultural acceptance."
"Aesthetic, pragmatic, expressive, formalist, relativist, processional, imitation, ritual, cognition, mimetic, and postmodern theories are some of many theories to criticize and appreciate art."
"Art can stand alone with an instantaneous judgment or can be viewed with a deeper more educated knowledge."
"Art is a basic human instinct with a diverse range of form and expression."
"Art is an important part of being human and can be found through all aspects of our lives, regardless of the culture or times."
"Critics of the past are often ridiculed for dismissing artists now venerated."
"Only later generations may understand it (the art)."
"Artists usually need positive opinions from critics for their work to be viewed and purchased."
"Art critics usually criticize art in the context of aesthetics or the theory of beauty."
"Art criticism and appreciation can be subjective based on personal preference toward aesthetics and form."
"A goal of art criticism is the pursuit of a rational basis for art appreciation."