Art Criticism

VA COMP ASSESSMENT 2

Edward Hicks
A Peaceable Kingdom

Description
What can you learn from the title of the
artwork? I can learn that the artwork is
supposed to be peaceful and calm.

Description
What subjects in the artwork can you
recognize?
I can recognize the animals and the children
next to them.

Description
Looking at the elements of design, describe
what qualities you see. I see a lot of space,
there are textures in the animals fur and skin.
There are also many lines in the trees.

Description
What media and techniques did the artist use?
The artist used oil paint.

Analysis
Emphasis: Is there a dominant element or focal
point that you see first? Yes, contrast is the
dominant element. It is the dominant element
because of the color scheme and proportion.

Analysis
Balance: Is there a special balance, or
weight, among the elements? What mood
does it create? Yes, the right side with all
animals is heavier than the left. This creates a
nature-like mood.

Analysis
Proportion: Do the proportions look normal,
ideal, or unusual? Why? The proportions look
normal, because the size of the bodies of each
animal is realistic.

Analysis
Pattern: Are elements repeated to create a
pattern? Where? Why? No, none of the
elements are repeated.

Analysis
Rhythm or Movement: What visual rhythms or
paths of movement do your eyes follow?
Where? Why? The rhythm is filled with right
splashes from right to left.

Analysis
Unity and Variety: What elements bring
together, or unify many parts of the design.
Why? What elements add variety? Why? The
dark and light colors bring unity because they
contrast evenly. The animals add variety
because theyre all different sizes and shapes.

Interpretation
Is there symbolism in the artwork? What do
you think it means? Yes, I think the natives
represent the hardship of survival, and the
animals represent the calm, joyful wonders of
life.

Interpretation
What feeling do you think the artist wanted to
give the viewer when looking at the work? The
artist wanted an illuminating , calm feeling
throughout his artwork.

Interpretation
Does the work remind you of other things you
have experienced? Yes, this reminds me of
Christmas because it is a bright, calm
environment.

Interpretation
How does the work relate to other ideas or
events in the world and/or in your other
classes? The artwork relates to an ocean, it has
a smooth flow of rhythm and an unusual
balance.

Judgment
What parts of the work make you feel it is a
success or failure? The rhythm of the white
splashes makes the artwork seem like its a
success, but the balance is so heavy that it
makes the artwork seem like its a failure.

Judgment
What criteria can you list to help others judge
this work? The criteria of realism would help
others judge this artwork.

Judgment
How unique is the work? Why do you feel this
work is or is not unique? Very unique, the
contrast and the balance of this artwork makes
a good combination that most artist would not
think of to use.

Judgment
What are some improvements you feel the
artist could have made to the work? I think the
artist could have excluded the people in the
background to make more rhythm and
balance.