Visual Analysis

Look at the art work “Dana” by Artemisia Gentileschi and Spend as much time as possible looking at the work youve chosen and then begin making preliminary observations in writing (try to respond to at least 4 of the following questions):

• How is the work organized in terms of color, composition, and space?
• What is the works scale? How is light utilized?
• What, if any, story does this artwork tell?
• How are bodies and objects arranged in it? What about the poses and gestures? How do they relate a
• sense of narrative or emotion?
• What materials were used? Is the artist using the medium in a normal way or experimenting with it?
• For what purpose might this have been made? How does the way it looks reflect this purpose

Pretend that I am blind and will never be able to see the work of art youve chosen. Try to describe it

so carefully that I would really have a sense of what it looks like even without ever seeing it.

What you focus on will influence what your reader sees. If you interpret a certain facial expression a

certain way, you must convince your reader that your impression is correct. It is not enough to say

someone looks relaxed (or angry, or happy, etc.) you must describe why.

Many approaches are possible and NOT everything you see has to be included in this essay. You

should organize and draft the piece so that it flows logically and is centered around what you believe

are the works most important visual qualities. Write down details observed plus any associations or questions that come to mind. Do not use research for this.