By the Pond by Marry Cassatt Art Analysis
Assignment: By the Pond by Marry Cassatt Art Analysis
When looking at work of art we consider a number of things. We want to know who the artist is,
as an artist may have a particular subject, style or movement that he or she is associated with.
This then may offer important information about and insight into the art. Also important is the
subject of the work, what the artist trying to say or trying to get us to see. Sometimes, when work is abstract or non-representational (e.g. we can’t objectively recognize the subject of the work) the subject is actually about the materials and the way in which the art was made. Looking at these different components we can get a better understanding of the work and of the artist.
Options for artists with work to analyze from the Museum of Modern Art’s collection. Choose
one of the following artists from the list below, and pick one of their images to write about. Go
to: MOMA.org to see their work and read about them.
Milton Avery
Umberto Boccioni
Alexander Calder
Mary Cassatt
Chuck Close
Frida Kahlo
Claude Monet
Jasper Johns
Richard Serra
John Baldessari
Assignment: Select a work of art and answer the following questions/provide the information
about the work that you chose. The paper should only be long enough to answer the questions.
1. Background information
The artist’s name
The materials used (what is it made of)
When the work was made (year)
Does the work fit in with a particular style of art or art movement (is the artist is associated with an art movement)
2. Title of the work
Is there a title
If there is a title, does it help to explain or describe what you are seeing
What are the size dimensions of the art work?
3. Subject/Content
Is the subject representational, abstract or non-representational?
If there is a recognizable subject in the artwork, what is it
Does the art tell a “narrative” (story)
4. Formal Analysis of the Visual Elements
What “elements of art” can you identify in the work
What is the nature of the composition: what subjects, objects are included
How were the objects arranged (e.g. how did they relate to each other)?
How was color used. For example, was there a predominant color scheme, were certain colors emphasized
What did the color used in the work suggest about the mood the artist was trying to create
What did you notice about the design principles followed (e.g. rhythm, repetition, symmetry etc.). Which ones were used and what was the effect that it seemed to create
5. Evaluation of the Work
What is the artist trying to say about the subject matter that you identified (what is the meaning of the work)?
Do you think he or she was successful in expressing their vision?
How does the work make you feel and can you identify what the artist did that made you feel this way?
Answer preview for By the Pond by Marry Cassatt Art Analysis
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