Going to a Museum
W O R K S H E E T
How should I engage with the art?
Looking critically at artwork allows us to understand the world in different ways, gives us different perspectives, allows us to ask questions, helps us to become more creative and complex thinkers, inspires us produce more innovative ideas and projects, encourages us to communicate in different ways, and can help us explore different ideas and themes. Analyzing art is also one of the best ways to learn about art and to get better at making it it.
When was the piece created?
What events were happening in the world at the time the piece was created?
Where is the piece located?
How is the location of the piece significant?
What is the subject matter?
Who is the artist?
What was this artist known for?
What colors are prominent throughout the piece?
Where can you see movement being represented?
How does the piece feel balanced or unbalanced?
Where are there areas of high or low contrast?
Which shapes do you see represented?
What media was used to create it?
What equipment would have been needed to create it?
How long do you think it would have taken the artist to create it?
What challenges does this type of media pose?
Why do you think this media was chosen for this piece?
If the piece you are looking at is a sculpture, how would you represent it as a painting (or vice versa)?
Is the style of the piece realistic, abstract, or something else?
Would the piece have the same impact if it were done in a different style? Why or why not?
Can you see brushstrokes? What kind of energy do they have?
Is the sculpture smooth or rough? How is this important?
Is the piece to scale or is it smaller/bigger? How does this change the way you feel? If it were bigger or smaller, would it change the impact of the piece?
What is the piece doing? Does it tell a story? Evoke a feeling? Document an event? Present an idea?
What do you think the artist was feeling?
How does it make you feel?
What emotions are captured in the piece? If there are people in the piece, what are their expressions?
What parts of the piece make you feel the way you do?
Does the piece bring to mind any of your own life events or memories?
How has your opinion changed about this piece from the time you started looking at it until now?