Art Analysis

Psychological Analysis

This type of analysis investigates an artwork through consideration of the state of the artist's mind. Sometimes such interpretations make use of important psychological studies, such as those of Sigmund Freud or Carl Jung.

Iconographic analysis

"Image writing" or "Writing with images" - refers to the visual images and symbols used in a work of art as well as to the interpretation of the work's meaning. This analysis identifies objects and figures in an artwork as signs or symbols that can reflect religious or historical contexts, and the meaning of which was often more directly understood at a particular time by a specific culture, but may now be less apparent to us.

Historical/social Analysis

Considers historical events, either past or present, and the way they appear in an artwork.

Religious Analysis

Considers the artwork in relation to the religious context in which it was made; this method often includes identification of narratives, key symbolism, and important figures.

Biographical Analysis

Considers whether the artist's personal experiences and opinions may have affected the making or meaning of the artwork in some way.

Gender Studies Analysis

Expands the considerations raised by feminist analysis to explore ways in which the work reflects experience based on a person's gender. It can also reflect the intentions of an artist, the perspective of a viewer, the interpretation of a critic, or all three.

Formal Analysis

Formal analysis involves looking closely and in detail at the work in order to consider how the formal elements and principles of art are used to create it and to convey meaning.

Feminist Analysis

Inspired by feminism, considers the role of women in an artwork as its subjects, creators, patrons, and viewers. It can reflect the intentions of an artist, the perspective of a viewer, the interpretation of a critic, or a combination of two or three of these.

Contextual Analysis

Looks at the making and viewing of the work in its context: it studies the atmosphere and ideas, often from a particular time or culture, which the artwork itself includes and reflects. Various aspects of context can be considered; for example, religious, historical, and biographical analysis are all types of contextual analysis.

Stylistic analysis

Style in art is the particular combination of characteristics that make a work (or works) of art distinctive. Stylistic analysis focuses on these characteristics in a way that clearly identifies how they typify the work of an individual, are shared by a group of artists to create a movement, o are concentrated in a particular place or time period.