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How to do visual (formal) analysis in art history



Smarthistory

Giovanni Bellini, Madonna of the Meadow, c. 1500, oil and egg on synthetic panel, transferred from wood, 67.3 x 86.4 cm (The National Gallery)
Speakers: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris

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46 thoughts on “How to do visual (formal) analysis in art history
  1. Clear and painstaking lesson.
    I will try to incorporate more of these elements to the structure of my own analyses, which sometimes lack some of them, are looser as formal structure regards: I focus on content and put these technical issues at its service.
    Thank you.

  2. Thank you for the great videos, you two. I have a quick question for you (or anyone in your audience) about differentiating between composition and pictorial space. You discussed the dynamic between the angles in the figures' heads as part of the composition but the orthogonal lines in the field as part of the pictorial space. Both discussions identify geometrical patterns. Is the difference between the two the element of depth? That is, if you were talking about the relationship between Mary and the human figure resting in the background, would you discuss their locations in pictorial space because they exist at varying depths in the world of the painting or would you discuss their arrangement in the composition because they exist at varying places in the scene? Would I be wrong to discuss both in separate discussions, i.e. in regards to separate interpretations? Also, since Mary's eye-line is so much higher than the other figure's eye-lines and she is taller than the horizon, would you say this painting employs the hieratic scale–specifically in a way that exemplifies the presence of a religious figure? I've been fascinated for a long time with Mughal, Ottoman, and Persian miniatures and often find in them both radical manipulations of hieratic scale and repetition of color create what seem like obvious spectrums of holy/important figures–perhaps not unlike this Bellini painting.

  3. Thanks so much for this video, as a student in the history of arts, (in France, but it doesn't matter) it is very helpful !
    Do you have one that explains how to analyse the first points that are mentioned at the begining ? I have searched on the channel but did not find one.

  4. So far in my first year in post-secondary I've written two historical essays, and through no prior association, I happened to watch a video of yours for each, both of which put me on the right track. Great job guys, and thank you.

  5. This channel is a gift to humanity. It aint snobby or pseudo-intellectual-ish, instead the videos have passion and knowledge and respect for the audience and the artform which some channels dont have. Thank you for this.

  6. This is my fifth year on Academy of Arts, unfortunately I had only one professor who could describe paintings and artwork as these two art historians can. You are rare people, I appreciate every one of your videos, thank you for the knowledge you provide.

  7. This was way too complicated for my very simple mind. Like me: painting. Nice.
    You guys: Look at that cloud, it’s lighter and has less detail. Look at how the buildings are rectangular. Look at the leaves. Look at the line of her shoulder, hand and the babies body. Her weird hand pose. The corner of the squared—
    If this isn’t talent idk what is

  8. Watching this for a history class and I am surprised at how much people look into art (O_o) I just look at the painting and decide whether its pretty or not (OwO)

  9. This is just a perfect video on how to appreciate art. Really this is amazing. Are there any vids following this model done by yourselves which is stripped of all biographical and historical background? Anyway, many thanks and keep up your great job

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