Formal Analysis of Art 1

Formal Analysis of Art

Formal Analysis of Art 2

Formal Analysis of Art Summary

There are many differences between analytical and expressive lines used in art.

Analytical lines are precise, logical, controlled, rational, and mathematically rigorous. An

example of art using analytical line can be seen in Sol LeWitt's wall drawing No. 681 (Sayre,

2010). Expressive lines tend to express use of some formal element, are loose, free, less logical,

and somewhat out of control. An example of art using expressive lines can be seen in Vincent

Van Gogh's painting "The Starry Night" (Sayre, 2010).

Generally, expressive lines are less clear logically and include characteristics more

closely associated with cultural views and bias as being identified with the female form; and

analytical lines are very logical, precise and include characteristics more closely associated with

that of the male form. Such implications as characteristics associated with these lines and how

they are employed, is shown as masculinity and the female form as it reflects the many cultural

bias of art, such as the Greeks view of the male form being strong and rational with great detail

applied to show this sense of pleasing beauty and aesthetic order, whereas the female form is

often displayed as weak and emotional in relations to the expressive line.

There are various formal qualities about the painting Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez

that make it very interesting to view. For example, I have observed the above listed painting

through conducting a formal analysis of it, and have concluded with the following observations

and interpretations of my understandings. The artist has portrayed an image of girls in the midst

as if waiting to attend the wedding. Second, the artist reflects within the painting background an

image of an artist working on a painting, while a mirrored image on the very back wall depicts

what appears to be the King and Queen. These formal qualities used by Diego Velazquez create

Formal Analysis of Art 3

many illusionistic effects, just as that of the mirror used to attract the viewer’s visibility; rather it

also portrays reflections of images that reside outside the view. In addition, the artist here has

used three primary focal-points including self-portrait, half-length, and reflected mirrored

images. However, the dimensions and depth of the painting have been obscured; this has been

accomplished through the use of various layers, shapes, colors, and tones that tend to overlap for

outstanding effects.

The formal qualities of Nighthawks by Edward Hopper are also very interesting yet,

much more simple and to the point than that of Las Menias. For example, after observing

through formal analysis I have concluded with the following observations of my understandings.

In this particular painting the artist has portrayed a café of people that appear to be emotionally

and physically unattached. In the background are buildings that are dark inside giving the

presence of nightfall. While the dim lighting outside the diner suggests nightfall, the bright white

light inside the diner illuminates and draws attention to each detail inside the diner. The artist has

accomplished many effects through the use of vibrant and rich colors, which in addition attract

the viewer’s attention toward the people. The use of this vibrant color as well as the combined

apparent depth the artist has accomplished a clean yet, very well structured and organized setting

effect. Furthermore, the vibrant and bright contrast effect of the café, in addition to the painting

title clearly depict night fall.

Reference

Formal Analysis of Art 4

Sayre, H. M. (2010). A World of Art. Sixth ed. Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle

River, NJ