worksheet about a Prehistoric art in Europe

Student’s Name: Date: Circle Course #: 1 2 3 4 Four Step Evaluation of a Course Artwork Evaluating a work of art isn’t as difficult as it may seem. There are four basic steps to art criticism: describing, analyzing, interpreting, and judgment. Use these handy guiding questions to dig deeper into your course artwork, and you’ll be a pro! DIRECTIONS: Choose ONE artwork highlighted so far in the course to evaluate, then THOROUGHLY complete this worksheet for your midterm grade. Artwork Title: Lascaux Cave Paintings Artist: Unknown prehistoric artists Date artwork was made: 15,000 BCE Location artwork was made: Lascaux Caves, France Location of artwork currently: In situ, Lascaux Caves (closed to the public, replicas available for viewing) UNIT and LESSON Artwork appeared in course. Number: Title: Lascaux Cave Paintings Why did you choose this artwork to evaluate? Lascaux Cave Paintings are one of the earliest human artistic expressions showing beliefs, culture, and lives of prehistoric. STEP 1: DESCRIBE (Careful Observation) SUBJECT/OBJECT: Describe what you see in the artwork: The paintings showcase animals like horses, bison, and dogs, which are natural styles. The painting shows abstract shapes, handprints, and symbols. OBJECTS: What sort of artwork do you think this is? (circle one) Portrait Figure Landscape Seascape Cityscape Poster Abstract Nature Still life What kind of objects do you see in the artwork? (you may choose more than one) People Seascape Food Buildings Animals None Boats Plants Other (describe): Landscape Water STYLE: What style do you think the artist primarily used? (circle one) Realistic Abstract Surrealistic Impressionistic Non-objective Other (describe): MEDIA: What media or medium did the artist use? (What material is the work made from?) Two-Dimensional Two-Dimensional (paintings, drawings prints, photos): choose all that apply Crayon Pencil Fabric Yarn Ink Pastels Photograph Paint (oil, acrylic, tempera, watercolor) Other (describe): Three-Dimensional (sculptures, relief, architecture): choose all that apply Clay Stone Found objects Wood Glass Metal Papier-mache Other (describe): THE ELEMENTS OF ART: Lines: What kind of lines do you see? (choose all that apply) Horizontal Vertical Diagonal Curved Straight Zigzag Dotted Wavy Spiral Describe where you see lines in the artwork. The animal is made using curved and wavy lines. The zigzag is appearing in some abstract shapes. Shape: What shapes do you see? (you may choose more than one) Circles Rectangles Other (describe): Squares Triangles Diamonds Ovals Describe where you see shapes in the artwork. I see the shapes in the form of bodies of animals and patterns. Form: What forms do you see? (you may choose more than one) Cones Cylinders Other (describe): Pyramids Spheres Cubes Animal bodies in 3D Rectangular Prism due to shading techniques Describe where you see forms in the artwork. The forms appear where there is shaded parts of the animal which creates a deep sense of depth. Color: What colors do you see in the artwork? (you may choose more than one) Red Orange Black Yellow Violet White Blue Magenta Other (describe): Green Brown Describe where you see color in the artwork. Colors show bodies of animals clearly. Texture: What type of texture do you see? (circle all that apply) Actual (texture you can feel) Implied (only perceived by the viewer) Describe where you see texture in the artwork and what objects they represent. The texture is implied through the rock surface, which gives animals a rugged appearance. Space: What type of space do you see in the artwork? (choose all that apply) Positive Negative Depth Describe where you see the space you selected above in the artwork. The depth is depicted by overlapping figures and spaces that are occupied with animals. Continue to STEP 2: ANALYSIS on the next page STEP 2: ANALYSIS (artwork organization/composition arrangement) THE ELEMENTS OF ART: Lines: HOW are lines represented in the artwork? (choose all that apply) Sharp Choppy Smooth Thick Fuzzy Broken Heavy Thin Other (describe): Jagged Graceful Shapes and Forms: HOW would you describe the shapes and/or forms you see? (choose all that apply) Organic Geometric Curved Angular Soft-edged Other (describe): Free-form Hard-edged Color and Value: What kinds of color and value do you see in the artwork? (choose all that apply) Bright Dull Dark Light Soft Vibrant Neutral colors (browns, grays, earth tones) Other (describe): What is the main color scheme you see represented in the artwork? (choose ONE) Complementary colors - colors opposite of each other on the color wheel Monochromatic colors - a single color containing light and dark values of that color. Triadic colors - three colors that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel Analogous colors - two or more colors that are side by side on the color wheel and often contain the same primary color Achromatic - no color, only white, gray, and black along with near neutrals (beige, tan, brown) Cool - hues that give the feeling of coolness, such as blue, green, and pale purple Warm - hues that give the feeling of warmth, such as red, orange, and yellow NONE - no color organization visible, ALL colors are present in the artwork. Texture: What textures do you see? (choose all that apply) Rough Smooth Soft Hard Dull Bumpy Other (describe): Space: Illusion of space: How is space used in the artwork? (choose one) Deep Space (looks like you can see for miles, a very wide range of light and dark values) Shallow Space (shapes are flattened with limited use of light and dark values) Flat Space (shapes appear one value/color, objects appear not 3-dimensional at all.) If the work is a landscape what do you see in each division of space? ● Foreground (objects nearest the viewer) ● Large detailed objects like animals, rocks etc. ● Mid-ground (space between the foreground and the background) ● Slightly detailed objects. ● Background (objects that appear the most distant from the viewer) ● Faint and less detailed objects, The Principles of Design: How are the elements of art in the work arranged? Emphasis/Focal Point: What is the first thing you see when you look at this artwork? Clear images of animals. How do you think the artist created the focal point? Created the focal points using dark pigments. Contrast: Are there noticeable differences between light and dark areas in the artwork? Yes No If there are noticeable differences, identify where the lightest and darkest areas appear to be in the work by squinting your eyes and looking at the artwork. Circle the location of the artwork where you see most of the light areas. Top bottom middle right left Circle where the darkest areas are located: Top bottom middle right left Harmony/Unity: Circle which elements of art have been used to create a sense of unity or hold the work together in a pleasing way. (circle all that apply) Line Color Value Texture Shape/Form Space Balance: What kind of visual balance is used in the artwork? Asymmetrical balance (each side of the artwork is different) Symmetrical balance (the halves of the artwork mirror each other) Radial balance (emphasis is in the center, viewer’s eyes are directed like the spokes of a wheel, flower, or target moving toward the middle Repetition & Pattern: Circle which elements you see repeated in the artwork. (circle all that apply) Line Color Value Texture Shape/Form Space Pattern or repetition that is used to lead the eye on a path through a work of art is called movement. Do you see movement in the artwork? YES NO If so, explain the path your eye follows. Where does it start, what draws your eye through and where does it end STEP 2: ANALYZE (continued) Another planned use of pattern is rhythm, which can lead the viewer’s eye through an artwork while also giving the work of art a pulsating or even unbalanced quality. Do you see rhythm in the artwork? YES NO If so, where? Variety: Variety refers to the differences in the use of the art elements in the art work. Variety can be achieved by using any art element(s) in the artwork. Circle the elements of art that have been used in different ways to create visual interest. Line Color Value Texture Shape/Form Space MEDIA and TECHNIQUE: Art techniques refer to various approaches used by artists to create their artworks. These can include specific manipulation of the medium or art making methods such as, painting techniques (such as perspective), sculpting techniques (such as carving), and other skills related to composition, texture, color usage, and materials. Explain any techniques you see the artist used in the artwork. The artist that was used include layering colors and creating textures by use of brushstrokes. Continue to STEP 3: INTERPRETATION on the next page Step 3: INTERPRETATION (purpose or meaning of the artwork) You uncovered clues about the meaning of this artwork in the first two steps of this exercise, let’s dig deeper for more meaning. TITLE: Sometimes even the name of an artwork can tell you something about its meaning or purpose. Explain what the name of this artwork tells you about the meaning or purpose of this work. The title suggests the artwork is discussing themes that relate to its name which gives hint to the significance of the event. PURPOSE: There are many purposes of art. Circle which of these purposes you think the artist was primarily concerned with in this artwork. (choose one) Expressive art (expressing emotions, feelings, and/or ideas) Narrative art (describing and illustrating experiences, telling a story) Functional art (art the serves a practical or useful purpose) Ceremonial or ritual art (work that celebrates or commemorates) Decorative art (created for the purpose of decorating or beautifying) Persuasive art (advertising, marketing, or propaganda art) Formalist art (works that deal solely with the arrangement of elements of art/principles of design as subject matter – found most often abstract or non- objective art) Reflecting the world – (art that imitates nature) MEANING and THEME: Circle the words that best describe what you think is the meaning of this artwork. (use as many words as needed – even supplying some new ones if necessary.) Strength Fear Loneliness Fun Mystery Anger Hate Love Beauty Courage Peace War Sadness Happiness Madness Hope Adventure Excitement Interest In Color Complexity of Design Interest In Shapes Simple Design Other (describe): STEP 3: INTERPRETATION (continued) SIGNIFICANCE OF CONTEXT. List some major events in history that occurred at the same time this artwork was created. Last Glacial Maximum Homo sapiens Dominance Development of Complex Hunting Techniques Expansion of Human Migration First Evidence of Clothing Early Artistic Expression Speculate how these events and societal values may have influenced the artist's intent. They influenced survival, spiritual, social cohesion, and communication, which reflect the importance of hunting and ritual practices within communities. Is there any symbolism visible in the artwork, the use of objects to represent broader or hidden concepts or ideas. YES NO If so, where and what do you think the objects represent? MEDIA and TECHNIQUE: Speculate why the artist may have chosen what they did to create their artwork. How does the media itself and technique in which it is used lend to the artist's vision? The artist chooses medium to achieve specific texture that carries information of emotion and feeling using techniques like blending or rough brushwork. MOOD: Explain the artwork’s mood; what emotion or feeling does it evoke, how does it make you feel? Mood is developed through hope and melancholy which shows a struggle and a sense of optimism. Continue to STEP 4: JUDGMENT on the next page Step 4: Judgment (What you think about the artwork) Do you think that the work is just good, bad, just ok? On what do you base this opinion on? (Possibilities might be the use of the elements of art, or the principles of design; lack of personal expression; lack of major theme or focus.) What do you believe worked and what didn’t? Do you believe the artist succeeded at what they were attempting to do? Explain your responses to these questions. The Lascaux cave painting is outstanding due to use of color and composition which captures significance of hunting. Rather than seeing the work as being very effective or totally without value, does the work fall somewhere in between? Reflect on what was going on in history when the artwork was made. What is the value that you find in the artwork? For example, is it a beautiful work of art? Thought-provoking? Does it have an important social message? Does it give us a window for understanding the past? Does the work communicate an idea, feeling, or principle that would have benefit for others? Explain your responses to these questions. The Lascaux cave paintings carry a significance value culture and spiritual beliefs displaying capabilities which creates a connection of getting a better understanding of history of human beings. What is this artwork’s influence on today’s society and importance to the study of art? The Lascaux Cave Paintings affects society by forming foundation of early human creativity and expression. Critique Summary Write a summary of the artwork you selected to evaluate. Include evidence from each of the four categories of criticism applied (DESCRIBE, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION, JUDGEMENT). Explain why you chose this artwork to evaluate. The Lascaux Cave Paintings date back as early as 17000 years, which produced more than 600 images of animals. The use of color and form shows an understanding of movement that shows a deeper connection between nature and community.