Reading a painting like a critic
Describe, analyse, interpret, judge — in that order. Opinions land far harder when the description came first.
Part of your national curriculum
- Developing ideas: Analyse and evaluate their own work, and that of others, in order to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work
- Artists and context: Understand about the history of art, craft, design and architecture, including periods, styles and major movements from ancient times up to the present day
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Analyse and evaluate the work of others
Key learning points
- • The four steps
- • Context changes meaning
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 13 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 13
Visual introductionPicture this
Reading a painting like a critic
Describe, analyse, interpret, judge — in that order. Opinions land far harder when the description came first.
In a nutshell
Analyse and evaluate the work of others
Explore the idea
Part 2 of 13
Learn
The four steps
Describe what is literally there. Analyse how the formal elements are arranged. Interpret the possible meaning. Only then judge how successful it is.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 13
Learn
Context changes meaning
The same image made in 1890 and 1990 says different things. Date, place and audience are part of the evidence.
Reset break
Part 4 of 13
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 5 of 13
Quick check
Part 6 of 13
Quick check
Part 7 of 13
Reset break
Part 8 of 13
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 9 of 13
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 10 of 13
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Interpret the possible ____.
Challenge round
Part 11 of 13
Game · Recall cards
Which is the most useful evaluation of your own artwork?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 12 of 13
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Reading a painting like a critic
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which is the most useful evaluation of your own artwork?
2. Formal elements include…
3. Impressionist outdoor painting was helped by…
4. A strong critique starts with…
Lesson round-up
Part 13 of 13
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
Not sat
Games
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Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 13 · Watch & discover
How this is going
- Not looked at yet
Analyse and evaluate their own work, and that of others, in order to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work
- Not looked at yet
Understand about the history of art, craft, design and architecture, including periods, styles and major movements from ancient times up to the present day