MELC 7: OBJECTIVE/BALANCED REVIEW OR

CRITIQUE OF

.Learning Competency 7:
Writes an objective/balanced review or critique of a work of art,
an event or a program.

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. define balanced/objective assessment or criticism of artwork;
2. identify the forms and structures of writing art criticism;
3. identify techniques in reviewing different art forms;
4. interpret the broader context and different types of art; and,
5. write a balanced/objective review or critique of pieces of work.

ACTIVITY 1. PREPARE YOURSELF

Directions: Take a look at this picture. What can you say about it?
List down what you think in the dialogue box given below. Write your
answers in your
notebook.

The Starry Night

Painting by Vincent van Gogh
1889

1. What are your bases of listing down those words?

2. Are your lists based on facts? How do you know?

3. Are your lists based on facts? How do you know?

A. What is balanced/objective review or criticism?

It is a system of interpreting, judging, and assessing a person, thing, or any work of
art not influenced by feelings or opinions in considering and presenting facts.

It is a systematic way of considering the truthfulness of a piece of work.

B. To have balanced/objective review of any piece of work, the following are

considered:
1. Description. Pure description of the object, piece of work, art, event, etc. It
answers the questions:
a. artwork - "What do you see?" (description constitutes form of art, medium, size
and scale, elements or general shapes, color, texture of surface, and context of
object).

b. piece of writing - "What do you see?" (form, structure, choice of words, length,
genre, etc)

2. Analysis. Determining what the features suggest and deciding why the artist or
writers used such features to convey specific ideas. It answers the questions:

a. artwork - "How did the artist do it?"

b. piece of writing-"How did the writer write it?"

The analysis constitutes the following: determination of subject matter, analysis of

the principles of design or composition, use of symbol and other elements,
portrayal of movement and how it is achieved, effect of particular medium,
relationships of each part of the composition to the whole and to each other part,
and reaction to object.

3. Interpretation. Establishing the broader context for this type of art. It answers the
questions:
a. artwork - "Why did the artist create it and what does it mean?
b. piece of writing - "Why did the write create it and what does it
mean?

Remember: you shouldn’t make your interpretation too arbitrary! Provide evidence
and point out what exactly influenced your understanding of the artwork.
Here are the elements that you can include in your interpretation:
 ▪ How does this art object make you feel?
▪ What do you think of when you’re looking at the artwork?
▪ What did the artist want to tell you as a viewer?
▪ What do you think about the title of the work? Does it influence your
interpretation?
▪ If you can’t understand a painting or a sculpture, don’t hurry to give a
negative response to it. Think of other critics who have provided a
positive evaluation of the examined artwork. It doesn’t mean you
shouldn’t have your opinion! All you need is to find a good way to
express it.

E.g., in this painting, the artist wanted to show us the king’s personality and
achievements.

The interpretation constitutes: (a) Main idea (overall meaning of the work), (b)
Interpretive Statement (Can I express what I think the artwork is about in one
sentence), and (c) Evidence (What evidence inside or outside the artwork supports my
interpretation?).

4. Judgment. Judging a piece of work means giving it rank in relation to

other works and of course considering a very important aspect of the visual arts; its
originality. It answers the questions “Is it a good artwork?” Is it a good composition?

Here are some points that can help you write your judgment:
• How do you think: is the work successful or not?
• Does this art object seem original or not?
• What do you feel when looking at this piece of artwork?
• Go back to your first impression. Has anything changed? What did
you learn?
• If nothing changed, explain your first reaction to the work.
• What have you learned from this work that you might apply to your
own artwork or your thinking?

In judging the piece of work, there must be:

(a) Criteria (What criteria do I think are most appropriate for

judging the artwork or writing?),
(b) Evidence (What evidence inside or outside the artwork or
piece of writing relate to each criterion?)’ and
(c) Judgment (Based on the criteria and evidence, what is my
judgment about the quality of the artwork or piece of writing?).
E.g., the artwork successfully conveys the atmosphere of a battle
through its composition and color scheme. Learning about its
backstory helped me to appreciate the painting even more.

C. How to Critique Different Art Forms

As you can imagine, all kinds of masterpieces are subject to art criticism. For
example, you can choose to write about paintings, drawings, sculptures, or even
buildings. And, naturally, all these forms of art have their specific features!
These tips will provide you with an art critique template for anything, be it an oil painting
or a cathedral.

1. Painting Critique. Paint is a medium that emphasizes light, colors, and space.
for example:
• What school of painting does it belong to? Is it typical or unusual for this
particular school?
E.g., Monet’s Water Lilies is a typical Impressionist
painting.

• Describe the way the artist applies paint. Are there broad paint strokes, small points
of color, or just a smooth surface? What effect does it help to achieve?
E.g., Van Gogh’s broad brush strokes help to create a
sense of motion.

• Describe how the light is depicted. Where does the light come from? Is there a
strong value contrast? In what way does the shadow function? What, in your
opinion, does it evoke?
E.g., strong contrast makes the central figures stand out.

• Speak about the handling of space in the picture. Does it look flat or three-
dimensional? What kind of perspective is used? (e.g., one-point perspective, or
bird’s eye view?)
E.g., in this painting, Picasso uses multi-dimensional geometrical shapes.

2. Sculpture Critique. Similarly, many specific factors influence the overall

impression of a sculpture.

Here are some things to pay attention to:

• Say if the material gives a particular texture to the statue. Is the surface smooth, or
is it uneven?
E.g., Rodin’s sculpture has an unusual earthy texture.

• The surrounding space is just as important as the sculpture itself. Describe the place
(in the museum, in a park, in front of a building) where it is situated. What does it
add to the sculpture?
E.g., the statue appears to walk along the road.

• Speak about the color of the sculpture. Is it painted? Does it rely on natural
lights and shadows?
E.g., the statue is white. A museum floodlight lights it from above, creating expressive
shadows.

• Describe the composition of the sculpture. What does it look like when you
approach it? Did the sculptor provide any instructions on how to position it?
E.g., the statue is enormous and can be viewed from all sides.
3. Architecture Critique. You can write art critiques on architecture, too!

Just bear in mind the following points:

• What architectural style does it belong to?
E.g., the cathedral is a typical Gothic building.

• Was it built with a purpose? Did a specific person request it?

E.g., the Palace of Versailles was requested by Louis IV as a symbol of his monarchy.

• Did one architect complete the building, or were there any alterations? Why were
they made?
E.g., the spire was added to the cathedral much later. It became the integral part of its
image.

• What do the exterior and the interior look like? What effect do they produce?
Is there a contrast between them?
E.g., the building has a high ceiling painted like the sky. It also makes the organ music
sound louder.

• Are there statues or paintings on the walls? Discuss them as well! E.g., statues
on the cathedral’s facade illustrate scenes from the Bible.

4. Photography Critique. Analyzing a photograph is a lot like critiquing a painting.

Still, there are some unique features to consider:

• How does the photographer use focus? Is any part of the image blurry? What
effect does it produce?
E.g., the background is out-of-focus, which has a dreamy effect.
• Is the picture monochrome? If yes, describe its tone, contrast, and shadows.
If no, describe the use of color.
E.g., the picture is in black and white, with stark contrasts.

• If it’s a photo of a face, pay extra attention to the emotion it expresses.

If it’s dynamic, discuss the sense of motion.
E.g., the photograph conveys a sense of cheerfulness through the
girl’s expression and the use of light.
 Example of review of artwork (painting) 1:
The Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso in France, 1937

Describe:

The Weeping Woman is a painting finished by Pablo Picasso in France, 1937. This type
of artwork can be considered to be expressionism. There isn’t an actual background scene
in the painting. The background is completed with different lines and colors. The woman is
the focus point of this painting. She is wearing an accessory on top of her head which
demonstrates her elegance. My first impression of the artwork is that the face of the woman
is not proportionate and is only painted with lines, no curves. The main colors that are used
in this painting are green, yellow, blue, purple, red and black. The painting is set mainly of
lined and little curves. The mood and visual effect that this painting portrays can
be
considered to be suffering, and sadness.

Analyze:

The colors that the author uses can be considered to be quite different as each color
conveys a separate impression. The light purple that begins at the bottom top of the
woman’s eyes can convey sadness. The other half of the face is mainly covered in green
and yellow; these can be said to interpret other solid emotions that the painter must have
towards this woman as she was a vital character in Picasso’s life. The painting is created with
mainly lines which can mean that the woman had strong physical features or that her different
emotions were
felt passionately as lines are usually seen as strong technical elements. The only curves that
are being used are for her hair and eyes. The eyes look quite down or depressive. This is
because the woman is crying, which goes back to the main mood which is suffering.
Interpretation:

I believe that Picasso wanted the audience to feel pain and provide a statement that explains
how all women feel and the agony that they are consistently in. The audience can see that
the woman has peeled away her flesh by corrosive tears to reveal her white bones. The
handkerchief she tries to stuff in her mouth seems as a shard of glass. This vivid image can
convey pain and hurting. Picasso has expressed the behavior of this woman several times
and often describes the constant tears that fall off her eyes. So, the feeling conveyed by the
artwork is definitely suffering. Picasso wanted us to feel her and understand the pain that
she was going through. It was not easy to be a woman during that time since females where
often frowned upon. Picasso demonstrates the appreciation that he has for her through this
painting as he wants the audience to understand her.

Judge:

Finally, the artist’s value may be to evoke pain, as mentioned previously. This is due to the
colors that Picasso used and the shapes that he draws; not only these technical elements
but also the images that the painter uses within the actual face of the woman. The painting
relates to the entire female community. This community can understand the painting and
know what Picasso was trying to portray. Every woman is able understand and comprehend
the message behind this painting as we all feel the same way at one point in our lives. I
believe that this is a strong value in the painting. The weak value lies in the different colors
that the painter chooses. I found it confusing to interpret other areas of the face as the colors
that were used didn’t seem to match other locations of the face.
 Example of review of artwork 2: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

What Does the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci Depict?

The Last Supper’ of Leonardo da Vinci is considered to be undoubtedly a

masterpiece. Debates have ensued, though, concerning the interpretation of this piece of
art. Some even claim that Leonardo da Vinci tried to transfer a secret message to us
through it. What is portrayed in this painting that has attracted and enchanted such a great
amount of viewers?‘

The painting depicts a supper of twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and Christ himself
before the prophet is betrayed (Essak, 2013). Jesus Christ gathers all together in order to
eat and drink at a table, which is not so big and where food itself is plain. This humble
atmosphere allows the viewers to focus more on the disciples and Christ. In addition to this,
Christ tells the assembly that one person who is present in that supper will betray him. The
painting actually shows the first moment after this statement and the reactions of the
disciples to this
speech (Saunders, 2011). Leonardo da Vinci artfully depicts shock, surprise and other
various human emotions in his painting. Although every person in the painting possesses
unique features, I believe ”The Last Supper’ can be divided into four symmetrical groups
full of life and motion (Essak, 2013).

The group from the left side of Christ reacts impulsively and is united by one and
the same will. One disciple has even stood up and another has his finger raised. The group
that is on right-hand side is characterized by greater reserve. There is a huge distance
between them and Jesus Christ. Judah who can be found among these disciples holding a
pouch, perhaps with silver.

His dark and harsh appearance contrasts magnificently with the innocent and light
figure of John. Some scientists claim that this is not actually John, but Mary Magdalene,
because his face is feminine and gentle (Welborn, 2013). In thinking critically, this version is
hardly believable, as Christ gathered twelve disciples, not eleven. Otherwise the
symbolism of ‘The Last Supper’ does not make any sense. Between Judah and John, the
head of Peter can be seen and moreover, he holds a knife in his arm as if he would like to
protect Jesus. From his right-hand side, another group of disciples is portrayed. They are
turned in profile and it looks like they are astonished by the news that was introduced. From
the opposite side, we may see Matthew who is asking the same question to the other men
trying to find the clear explanation of what is happening at that particular moment.
 Frankly speaking, while searching for a secret code of Leonardo da Vinci in his
painting ‘the Last Supper’, one may lose the real visible goal of the picture. It brilliantly
portrays the discrepancy between the conciliation of Christ with his future, his reserve, calm
and absolutely different emotional states and unique reactions of his disciples to the piece
of news that he will be betrayed.
The painting has vague aspects about it and perhaps hidden symbols, but this is not the
reason why this painting attracts millions of people and involves them into the researches
and deep investigation of every centimeter of this masterpiece.
https://answershark.com/writing/creating-review/art-review/the-last-supper-by- leonardo-da-vinci.html

Based on the above discussions and examples, let us have some activities. The
activities you will do will help you go through the journey one step at a time so you have to
accomplish them with care. Have fun!
 ACTIVITY 2

One of the Filipino cultures that we continuously preserved and practiced is

“Bayanihan”. It is an expression of spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a
particular objective.

Directions: Below is the painting of “Bayanihan”; take a look at this, study, analyze, and
write a balanced/objective review of the painting considering the elements discussed. Write
your review in paragraph form in your notebook.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bayanihan+sa+bukid+painting+meaning&source
 ACTIVITY 3

This painting below is Tropical Sunset Surfer by Amy Scholten.

Surfer girl walks along a tropical beach during a brilliant red, pink and orange sunset.
This painting reflects our primal need for beauty, warmth and nature.

Directions: With the use of four (4) techniques in writing, take a look at this painting and
write a balanced/objective critique or review. Write your output in your notebook.
ACTIVITY 4: PONDER TIME
Directions: Complete the paragraph with the necessary words or sentences that best
describe what you have learned, realized and wish to know more. Write your paragraph
in your notebook. Follow the format below.

I understand that .
I realize that .
I wish to know more about .

ACTIVITY 5
This artwork is an example of sculpture. This was created by a National Artist in
sculpture, no less than Napoleon Abueva. This Blood Compact Monument (Sandugo)
was performed in the island of Bohol in the Philippines, between the Spanish explorer
Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565, to
seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition.

Directions: With this, write a balanced/objective review or critique following tips discussed
earlier. Write you review in your notebook.