Context
"Context consists of all of the things about the artwork that might have influenced the artwork or the maker (artist). These would include when the work was made; where it was made (both culturally and geographically); why it was made; and possibly some other details or information." Source
What art movements does this piece relate to? History? When and where was the piece made? What was happening at the time? How is the piece adding to the conversation of art?
QUESTIONS TO ASK:
Where was the piece of art made?
When was the piece made?
What was happening at the time it was made?
What art movements does the piece relate to?
Questions from STUDENT ART GUIDE :
WHEN/WHERE/WHY?
"Supported by research, can you identify when, where and why the work was created and its original intention or purpose (i.e. private sale; commissioned for a specific owner; commemorative; educational; promotional; illustrative; decorative; confrontational; useful or practical utility; communication; created in response to a design brief; private viewing; public viewing)? In what way has this background influenced the outcome (i.e. availability of tools, materials or time; expectations of the patron / audience)?" Source
Narrative?
"Does the artwork communicate an action, narrative or story (i.e. historical event or illustrate a scene from a story)? Has the arrangement been embellished, set up or contrived?" Source
Appropriation?
"Does the work include the appropriation of work by other artists, such as within a parody or pop art? What effect does this have (i.e. copyright concerns) Parody: mimicking the appearance and/or manner of something or someone, but with a twist for comic effect or critical comment, as in Saturday Night Live’s political satires – Dr. Robert J. Belton" Source
Genre?
Does the artwork fall within an established genre (i.e. historical; mythical; religious; portraiture; landscape; still life; fantasy; architectural; political)?
Design Site?
Where is the place of construction or design site and how does this influence the artwork (i.e. reflects local traditions, craftsmanship, or customs; complements surrounding designs; designed to accommodate weather conditions / climate; built on historic site)? Was the artwork originally located somewhere different?
Events and Environments?
Which events and surrounding environments have influenced this work (i.e. natural events; social movements such as feminism; political events, economic situations, historic events, religious settings, cultural events)? What effect did these have?
Artistic Style/Movement/Time Period?
Is the work characteristic of an artistic style, movement or time period? Has it been influenced by trends, fashions or ideologies? How can you tell?
Comparisons/Connections?
Can you make any relevant connections or comparisons with other artworks? Have other artists explored a similar subject in a similar way? Did this occur before or after this artwork was created?
Can you make any relevant connections to other fields of study or expression (i.e. geography, mathematics, literature, film, music, history or science)?
Biographical Details?
Which key biographical details about the artist are relevant in understanding this artwork (upbringing and personal situation; family and relationships; psychological state; health and fitness; socioeconomic status; employment; ethnicity; culture; gender; education, religion; interests, attitudes, values and beliefs)?
Site Specific?
Is the artwork site-specific or designed to be displayed across multiple locations or environments?
Body of Work?
Is this artwork part of a larger body of work? Is this typical of the work the artist is known for?
What is the context of the piece? How does it relate to past art movements? Why did the artist choose to make the work this way and with such features (materials and techniques)? Are they traditional, academic techniques and materials or, on the contrary, innovative and experimental? What idea does the artist communicate with the choice of these media? Try to reflect, for example, on their preciousness, or cultural significance, or even durability, fragility, heaviness, or lightness.
Context, Biography, Purpose: What’s Outside the Artwork?
Through formal analysis, it is possible to obtain a precise description of the artistic object. However, artworks are also documents, which attest to facts that happen or have happened outside the frame! The artwork relates to themes, stories, specific ideas, which belong to the artist and to the society in which he or she is immersed. To analyze art in a relevant way, we also must consider the context.
What are the intentions of the artist to create this work? The purpose? Art may be commissioned, commemorative, educational, of practical use, for the public or for private individuals, realized to communicate something. Let’s ask ourselves why the artist created it, and why at that particular time.
The artist’s life also cannot be overlooked. We always look at the work in the light of his biography: in what moment of life was it made? Where was the artist? What other artworks had he/she done in close temporal proximity? Biographical sources are invaluable.
In what context (historical, social, political, cultural) was the artwork made? Artwork supports (or may even deliberately oppose) the climate in which it is immersed. Find out about the political, natural, historical event; the economic, religious, cultural situation of its period.
Of paramount importance is the cultural atmosphere. What artistic movements, currents, fashions, and styles were prevalent at the time? This allows us to make comparisons with other objects, to question the taste of the time. In other words, to open the horizons of our analysis.
https://www.artlex.com/formal-art-analysis/
