The Tampa Museum of Art in Downtown Florida City Visual Analysis
The Tampa Museum of Art in Downtown Florida City Visual Analysis
Visual analysis forms the core of investigations into art; it also helps us to become more visually literate in our day-to-day lives. This exercise is intended to help you practice your skills of formal analysis by visiting a museum (virtually or in-person) and selecting one artwork you encountered during your visit to analyze in close detail.
Step 1:
All students will have to visit one local museum for this assignment. You have four options to choose from (see below). Make sure to plan your visit in advance; not only it is wise to make sure the work in their current exhibitions and collections interest you, but some of these museums may have different hours, policies, or even closures as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
( I chose to go to Tampa Museum of Art )
Step 2: A quick reminder about Visual Analysis
What is visual analysis? Visual analysis, sometimes called formal analysis, takes stock of the visual properties of a work of art, or what the eye sees. The word “formal” is not the opposite of the word “informal;” rather, it comes from the word “form,” which is another word for shape – one of the most important visual traits.
What is a visual analysis not?
First, a visual analysis does not make use of research.
You will not need to find outside materials to help you present the historical or cultural relevance of the work of art. Use your first-hand observations of the artwork to make informed deductions about its meaning (think of the artwork as your primary source).
Second, this type of analysis does not take into account the viewer’s judgement.
Judgments such as “it makes me feel…,” or “I like/dislike the object because…,” although an important component of the total experience of art, are not appropriate for this particular assignment.
Step 3:
Start by making observations about the artwork and consider how these might be used to support your thesis. Structure each paragraph around one idea. For example, you might choose to focus on three dominant elements, such as: 1) color, 2) line, and 3) shape. Or, you may choose several aspects of one topic such as movement: 1) motion implied through line, 2) motion implied by figures, and 3) motion implied through the style of brushstrokes used. You may also choose to write about two aspects of one topic—for example, color: 1) warm colors, 2) cool colors, and how those each relate to a third topic such as 3) content.
In all cases you will have identified several key visual aspects about the artwork, each of which will form one paragraph (keep in mind that a full paragraph uses more than three sentences).
- If you are unsure of where to begin, consider such questions as:
What type of line (or linear effect) has been used in the work?
What types of shapes and/or masses are used? How are they arranged?
- How does light or value affect the composition?
How is color used in the work? Are there important color harmonies that are used? What effect does the artist’s use of color have on you?
How is space used? Does linear perspective play a part in the work? Which type?
- How does the artist employ time in the work? Is motion relevant?
How has the work achieved unity?
- What type of balance was employed?
What has received the artist’s emphasis; or what is the focal point of the composition?
How has proportion and scale been used?
What is the general theme of the work?
What point of view has the artist taken?
What is the overall content of the work? What did it cause you to think about?
Step 4:
Finally, use the following format to write your essay:
- The first paragraph will be an introduction with a thesis statement positioned as the last sentence of the paragraph
- The next few paragraphs (at least three) should begin with a transition sentence and should discuss in detail the specific ideas you put forward in your thesis
- The final paragraph will be the conclusion
- After your conclusion, add your proof of museum visit (submit a selfie with your selected artwork -or- a copy of your receipt/ticket stub)
- Sample correct thesis (the last sentence of the first paragraph):
- This essay discusses how iconography, shapes, and light source in Amy Donnelly’s painting Five Stories Up (2012) each contribute to the artist’s unique reflection on everyday life.
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