1. Chapter 5 Evaluating Art Michelangelo The Creation of Adam (detail, Sistene Chapel, fresco painting)

2. Four major areas of art criticism Step 1 Description – the artwork in terms of its literal content and artistic elements. Step 2 Analysis – Describe how the work is organized as a complete composition. Step 3 Interpretation – interpret the work on the basis of what has already been discovered about the work in the first two steps. Consider not only the literal descriptions but also the emotional content and the use of symbols and allegories to arrive at the message or meaning in the work. Step 4 Judgment – about the work's worth based on the information gathered about the work. Judgments must be supported by what was learned through the "reading" process as they apply.

4. Botticelli - The Birth of Venus, 1845 tempera on canvas

6. Inness – Lonely Pine at Sunset 1893 oil on canvas

8. Seurat – A Sunday Afternoon on an Island on La Grand Jatta 1884 oil

10. Da Vinci – Mona Lisa 1503 oil When critiquing portraits, in general, the eyes will be the focus point because they are engaging the viewer by looking out of the picture at the viewer.

11. Goya – The shootings May 3, 1808 1814, oil

12. Vanitas – Still Life, 1630 oil