You may have well read The Maker’s recent article, ‘Interpreting Artwork for Newbies’, written as part of our Summer of Literature series. For those who wish to expand their art criticism skills, this follow up article will help you to identify certain elements of artwork and how you can link it to certain artistic movements. By recognising certain iconography and trends, you can easily show off to your friends the next time you visit the local art gallery.  

Medieval  

Medieval artwork served mainly the purpose of spreading religious messages from 500-1400. Medieval work can be identified by strong religious imagery and the use of gold. Some of the most notable artists of this period include Giotto (known for his use of the colour blue) and Cimabue.  

Some things to look out for: 

• Dark Imagery 
• Biblical Subjects 
• Ugly Babies 
• Mythology 
• Gothic Architecture 

Baroque 

Known for its use of dramatism and near hyper realistic detail, this extravagant style was popularised in the 17th and 18th centuries by key artists like Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. 

Some things to look out for:  

• Cute babies 
• Dramatic Landscape Paintings 
• Still lives, particularly of flowers, shells, and the old classic- fruit bowls. 
• Use of light and dark, creating dramatic shadows  

Realism 

A mid-19th century artistic movement, Realism painted normal everyday people in their natural state, either working, socialising, or completing day to day tasks. It aims to show the truth of the world by depicting the harsh realities of the peasantry. Key artists include Courbet, Bonheur, and Millet. 

Some things to look out for: 

• Some unhappy looking peasants  
• Farmers 
• Dark colours 
• Unembellished 

Romanticism 

Popularised in the early to mid-19th-century the Romantic style was known for its emphasis on nature, and its power over man. Notable artists include Friedrich and Delacroix. 

Some things to look out for: 

• If the main subject looks as angsty as a goth teen 
• Moody and gloomy skies 
• A focus on nature with mystical landscapes and a foreboding ambience 
• Visible brushstrokes 
• Horrific, gothic images 

Impressionism 

Originating in France during the late 18th-century, the style tried to capture visual impressions of singular moments with specific attention to shifting light and colour, often resulting in a blurred ‘dream-like’ effect. Key artists include Monet, Renoir, and Matisse. 

Some things to look out for: 

• May look like you forgot to put your contact lenses in during the morning  
• Choppy brushwork 
• If you need to take a few steps back to interpret the image
• No outlines 
• Capturing fleeting moments of nature 
• Outdoor scenes of urban social life portraying middle class members of society 

Cubism 

Born in the early 20th-century, cubism abandons singular perspectives, making use of simple geometric shapes and interlocking planes of vision to create images out of rigid shapes. Key artists include Picasso, Braque and Dalí. 

Some things to look out for: 

• May looks like a pile of carboard boxes after you’ve just moved into your new flat 
• Composed entirely of geometric shapes 
• 2-dimensional 
• Several sides of the same subject being shown simultaneously 
• Monochromatic 

By knowing a few simple giveaways, it’s easy enough to distinguish between a cubist and romantic piece of art, or to clock a Baroque when it’s in front of you. So next time, instead of getting bogged down in the seeming inaccessibility of the art world (don’t worry—we’ve been there), apply this knowledge to begin to decode the art world and its gifts. 

 

Written by Anna Craig, The Maker’s digital intern