A close examination of the art object in terms of its visual elements like color, line, form, and texture.
Formal Elements: The formal elements of art are the building blocks artists use to create visual works of art. These include line, shape, color, texture, value, and space.
Composition: The way in which the formal elements of art are arranged in a work of art is known as composition. Composition encompasses a broad range of considerations, including balance, proportion, scale, and movement.
Style: An artist's style is a distinctive way of creating art that is recognizable across a range of works. This can include particular techniques, subject matter, and formal elements.
Technique: The technical skills an artist employs when creating a work of art can be analyzed in formal analysis. This can include the use of different media, tools, and technologies, as well as different methods of applying these materials.
Historical Context: Formal analysis can also take into account the historical context of a work of art. This might include the cultural, social, and political factors that influenced the artist's style and technique, as well as the broader artistic movements of the time.
Cultural Context: The cultural context of a work of art encompasses the cultural expressions, values, and beliefs of a particular society or group. This can include religious, spiritual, or mythological themes, as well as cultural traditions and practices.
Symbolism: The use of symbolic elements in a work of art can be analyzed in formal analysis. These might include recurring motifs, allegory, or allusion.
Iconography: Iconography refers to the symbols and icons used in a work of art to convey meaning or communicate a message. Formal analysis can examine how an artist employs iconography to deepen the meaning of a work.
Semiotics: Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and how they communicate meaning. Formal analysis can examine the use of semiotics in a work of art to understand how it communicates meaning to the viewer.
Aesthetic Theory: Aesthetic theory explores the philosophy of beauty and how it is experienced. Formal analysis can take into account the aesthetic qualities of a work of art and how they contribute to its overall impact.
Description: This type of formal analysis involves a detailed description of the art piece, including its subject matter, composition, and use of color and light.
Iconography: This type of formal analysis focuses on the symbolism and meaning of visual images and symbols in art, often using historical or cultural context to understand their significance.
Semiotics: Similar to iconography, semiotics involves analyzing the meaning of symbols in a work of art, often applying theories from linguistics and anthropology to understand their significance.
Psychoanalytic: This type of formal analysis examines the psychological meaning of a work of art, including the artist's unconscious motivations and the viewer's emotional response to the piece.
Feminist: Feminist formal analysis examines the representation of gender and power in art, critiquing patriarchal norms and exploring the ways that women are depicted in art.
Marxist: Marxist formal analysis looks at the ways that art reflects and reinforces societal structures and relationships of power, often focusing on issues of class and economic inequality.
Postcolonial: This type of formal analysis examines the representation of colonial and postcolonial societies in art, considering the ways that power and identity intersect in the colonial experience.
Poststructuralist: Poststructuralist formal analysis involves viewing the work of art as a text or discourse, and exploring how meaning is constructed and communicated through conventions and cultural norms.
Queer: Queer formal analysis focuses on the representation of sexuality and gender identity in art, often challenging heteronormative assumptions and exploring the diversity of human experience.
Formalist: The formalist approach to art criticism emphasizes the visual qualities of the piece, examining the use of color, line, form, and other elements to convey meaning and emotion. It focuses on the formal structure of the artwork rather than its content or context.