This document provides an overview of the steps involved in art history: description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment. It uses Berthe Morisot's 1888 painting "La Lecture (Reading)" as an example to demonstrate how an art historian would apply each step. The description provides details on the who, what, when, and where of the artwork. The analysis identifies stylistic elements like Impressionist brushstrokes and subject matter. The interpretation explores the artistic influences on Morisot, including other Impressionist painters. The judgment evaluates the historical significance of Morisot and her artwork.

1. Art History

2. Art History: A search for
information.
Art historian: are concerned with gathering
information about works of art and the
artists who created them.

3. Art History
• The steps of art history have the same
name as the steps of art criticism they are:
description, analysis, interpretation, and
judgment.
• The art historian is looking for different
information in each of those steps

4. The Steps of Art History
• Description: When, where, and why was
the artwork created?
• Analysis: What style of art does it
represent?
• Interpretation: What artists, work of art, or
other influences inspired the artist?
• Judgment: What impact did the artist or
the artworks have on the history of art?

5. Art History
We will look at this painting together and go through the steps of Art History.

6. Description
• Who created the work? Berthe Morisot
• Where was it done? France
• When was it done? 1888
• Title: La Lecture (Reading)
• Usually can find this information beside
the painting. Sometimes you have to
search for this information.

7. Analysis
• In this step art historians are looking for
the following information:
• What are the main features, or
characteristics of the work?
• Does it represent a particular style of art?
If so, what is the style?
• What is style?

8. Analysis
• Style: personal way of using the art
elements and principles to reproduce what
they see and to express their ideas and
feelings.
• What are the main features or
characteristics of the work?
• Does it represent a particular STYLE of
art?

9. Analyses
• Let us look at the Berthe Morisot painting
at the beginning of this presentation.
• The work exhibits: fast thick brush strokes,
detail in face, blurred background, and it
shows the leisurely side of French life.
• These are all characteristics of
Impressionism.

10. Video
• Watch this video to help you better understand
.

11. Main Features
• Fast, thick brush strokes
• Close attention to detail on face and
expression
• Background barely distinguishable
• Only hints of foliage
• Close attention to light
• More works by Morisot.

12. Berthe Morisot, Lady at Her Toilette.
Look for these style characteristics in Morisot’s works.

13. The Cradle
Julie Manet with Dog
Impressionistic Style

14. Interpretation
• The art historian focuses their attention on
the influence of time and place of the
artist.
• Let’s look read more about Berthe
Morisot.

15. Interpretation
• In this step the Art Historian is trying to
answer the following questions.
• Which artists, or works of art inspired the
artist?
• What other influences affected the artist?
• Does the work reveal something about the
world in which it was painted?

16. Berthe Morisot
• Grandfather was a famous painter: Jean-
Honoré Fragonard.
• Brought up in a cultured atmosphere
• She copied artworks in the Louvre
museum in Paris.
• Joined the “Impressionists”
• Was female

17. Berthe Morisot
• Learned from Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
to recognize the effects of natural light and
ambience.

18. Édouard Manet
• Met in 1868 at the age of 27
• Fascinated by his rapid brush strokes

19. Judgment
• We can conclude once you have answered description,
analysis, and interpretation.
• We have looked in the history books for her work.
• She was encouraged by fellow artists that she was
talented.
• Low social status and a woman = less attention in her
time
• All of these things make her work significant in the
history of art.

20. Judgment
• Based on the works historical significance.
• Watch this video to better help you understand

21. Art Criticism or Art History?
• First look at the aesthetics and use the art
criticism operations
• Make a subjective and tentative decision
about it’s success
• Then turn to the objective art history
operations
• As you gain facts you can confirm, modify
or change your decision.

22. Combination
• Can make a balanced informative
judgment that is subjective and objective.
• This judgment is always subject to change
as you learn and grow.
• Watch this video.

23. Practice
• Read pages 480-489, in Art in Focus and
learn more about Impressionism and other
artists who have worked in the style.
• Read about Mary Cassatt on page 486 in
your book.
• Look her painting, “The Boating Party.”

24. Mary Cassatt, The Boating Party. 1893-94, Oil on Canvas.