How to Do a Visual Analysis in Art History: An Ancient Chinese Bronze Vessel
Speaker: Dr. Cortney Chaffin Kim
What’s a formal analysis (visual analysis)?
This video explains how to do a visual analysis (formal analysis) of a 5th-century BCE Chinese bronze vessel decorated with interlacing dragons in the National Museum of Asian Art. One of the best ways to deepen your understanding of a work of art is to spend time getting to know it. This means slowing down and looking really, really closely at its formal qualities. What should we pay attention to as we look closely? What are the formal qualities of a bronze vessel? Don’t worry, we’ve got answers and will guide you step-by-step!
This video is perfect for anyone wanting to develop the skill of describing and analyzing art.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction to visual analysis in art history
0:36 What are the formal elements of a bronze vessel?
1:12 Size and material
1:45 Shape and anatomy
2:50 Decoration
5:46 Texture
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