short essay on visual arts

Essay on Art

500 words essay on art.

Each morning we see the sunshine outside and relax while some draw it to feel relaxed. Thus, you see that art is everywhere and anywhere if we look closely. In other words, everything in life is artwork. The essay on art will help us go through the importance of art and its meaning for a better understanding.

What is Art?

For as long as humanity has existed, art has been part of our lives. For many years, people have been creating and enjoying art.  It expresses emotions or expression of life. It is one such creation that enables interpretation of any kind.

It is a skill that applies to music, painting, poetry, dance and more. Moreover, nature is no less than art. For instance, if nature creates something unique, it is also art. Artists use their artwork for passing along their feelings.

Thus, art and artists bring value to society and have been doing so throughout history. Art gives us an innovative way to view the world or society around us. Most important thing is that it lets us interpret it on our own individual experiences and associations.

Art is similar to live which has many definitions and examples. What is constant is that art is not perfect or does not revolve around perfection. It is something that continues growing and developing to express emotions, thoughts and human capacities.

Importance of Art

Art comes in many different forms which include audios, visuals and more. Audios comprise songs, music, poems and more whereas visuals include painting, photography, movies and more.

You will notice that we consume a lot of audio art in the form of music, songs and more. It is because they help us to relax our mind. Moreover, it also has the ability to change our mood and brighten it up.

After that, it also motivates us and strengthens our emotions. Poetries are audio arts that help the author express their feelings in writings. We also have music that requires musical instruments to create a piece of art.

Other than that, visual arts help artists communicate with the viewer. It also allows the viewer to interpret the art in their own way. Thus, it invokes a variety of emotions among us. Thus, you see how essential art is for humankind.

Without art, the world would be a dull place. Take the recent pandemic, for example, it was not the sports or news which kept us entertained but the artists. Their work of arts in the form of shows, songs, music and more added meaning to our boring lives.

Therefore, art adds happiness and colours to our lives and save us from the boring monotony of daily life.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Art

All in all, art is universal and can be found everywhere. It is not only for people who exercise work art but for those who consume it. If there were no art, we wouldn’t have been able to see the beauty in things. In other words, art helps us feel relaxed and forget about our problems.

FAQ of Essay on Art

Question 1: How can art help us?

Answer 1: Art can help us in a lot of ways. It can stimulate the release of dopamine in your bodies. This will in turn lower the feelings of depression and increase the feeling of confidence. Moreover, it makes us feel better about ourselves.

Question 2: What is the importance of art?

Answer 2: Art is essential as it covers all the developmental domains in child development. Moreover, it helps in physical development and enhancing gross and motor skills. For example, playing with dough can fine-tune your muscle control in your fingers.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Essay Service Examples Art Abstract Art

Visual Arts Essay

Introduction (200 words)

• Proper editing and formatting
• Free revision, title page, and bibliography
• Flexible prices and money-back guarantee

Visual Arts Essay 1 (100 words)

Visual arts essay 2 (200 words), visual arts essay 3 (300 words), visual arts essay 4 (400 words), visual arts essay 5 (500 words).

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

Related essay topics.

Get your paper done in as fast as 3 hours, 24/7.

Related articles

Most popular essays

• Abstract Art

“Art is a lie that brings us closer to the truth”, - Pablo Picasso. This quote by Pablo...

If you are tired of the tradition and you are not one of those who opts for typical or...

Abstraction, in its simplest terms, means the act of drawing out the essential qualities in a...

• Jackson Pollock
• Postmodernism

Material and conceptual agencies of the art world sustain a significant relationship which...

• Contemporary Art

Transcendence is the process that often occurs when viewing artworks that escorts our mind to...

• Photography

Almost two centuries after its invention, artists are still grappling with defining and...

• Waiting for Godot

The existential play Waiting for Godot, explores themes of absurdity, in particular, the absurdity...

• A Doll’s House

Realism is a literary movement that occurred in 20th century, focused on the events that happened...

Often, we fall as victims of our indecisions in our plight to please and fit in society. We fail...

Join our 150k of happy users

• Get original paper written according to your instructions
• Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.

Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!

By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Say goodbye to copy-pasting!

Get custom-crafted papers for you.

Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples

Essay Samples on Art

While it may seem easy to compose essays about art, it’s not really so because you have to offer background information in your introduction part and explain why some exhibition or a school of thought is important. This should go to your first paragraph because your purpose is to inspire your readers and provide enough background information. When you already have a prompt that must be followed, determine what kind of essay must be written. It can be a descriptive essay, which is great for a description of the works of art or photography. Some other cases may require working with an explanatory tone where you have to explain why an artist has chosen certain palettes or what has been an inspiration. See various free art essay examples below for inspiration. It also helps to learn how to structure your writing and implement quotes or footnotes that are used to highlight the images. Remember to focus on the ways how to cite images and multimedia elements, depending on the chosen style. Your writing should address every image that you have by checking twice with the grading rubric to ensure that you use the sources that may have already been specified.

What Does Creativity Mean to You

Creativity, an intricate tapestry of imagination and innovation, holds a unique significance for each individual. It is a concept that transcends the boundaries of convention, sparking curiosity and igniting the flames of inspiration. In this essay, we embark on a journey to unearth the meaning...

Censorship of Art and Artists: The Complex Discourse

The intersection of creativity and expression often finds itself entangled in a contentious debate: the censorship of art and artists. This complex issue has sparked discussions across societies and cultures, raising questions about freedom of speech, cultural preservation, and the power dynamics between creators and...

Why I Want to Study Architecture: the Power of Design

The world around us is a tapestry of structures, spaces, and designs that shape our lives and experiences. From towering skyscrapers to quaint houses, every architectural marvel carries a story and a vision. The allure of architecture, with its blend of artistic expression, technical precision,...

• Architecture

The Impact of Technology on Art: A Modern Renaissance

Introduction The influence of technology on art is an evolving narrative that reflects the symbiotic relationship between human creativity and innovative tools. From the early use of simple tools to create cave paintings to the digital art technologies of today, the integration of technology in...

• Art History
• Impact of Technology
• Renaissance

Exploring Feminist Literary Criticism: Unveiling Mona Lisa Smile

Introduction Self-assessment and criticism help us improve our skills and the ways in which we communicate our ideas and perspectives with others. In this feminist literary criticism essay, I will be critiquing and analysis of the movie Mona Lisa Smile. Firstly, I will explain why...

• Literary Criticism

Stressed out with your paper?

Consider using writing assistance:

• 100% unique papers
• 3 hrs deadline option

Frida Kahlo: Exploring Her Biography Through the Film 'Frida'

In the 2002 film “Frida” directed by Julie Taymor, illustrates the life of Frida Kahlo based on the book Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera. Who is Frida Kahlo? Her biography in this essay is explored with the help of the film...

• Film Analysis
• Frida Kahlo

Debate Surrounding Graphic Novel and Relation to Literature

Introduction In the past years, the noise about graphic novels has been constantly increasing. A graphic novel is basically a novel in comic-strip format, a book made up of comics’ content. However, they are not the same as comics. Unlike comic books, graphic novels are...

• Graphic Novel
• Visual Arts

Depicting Trauma: Symbolism in Graphic Novels

Introduction I must confess that I never read a graphic novel prior to this course. I think I’ve developed and expressed my opinion of graphic novels frequently over the course of the semester, and I think I would be remiss if I did not close...

Understanding Graphic Novels: Context and Analysis for Reading

Introduction Graphic novels are stories illustrated in comic form but have the length of a novel. “The term graphic novel was invented in 1970 however, the time of its origin is not concluded yet” (“Levitz”). Graphic novels have been debated for decades since some readers...

Jhene Aiko: Exploring the Artistry and Emotions in her Music

The artist I have chosen to write about is Jhene Aiko who is categorized in the R&B and Hip-Hop genre. Jhene Aiko is a popular singer who writes her music under the influence of cannibis, under the influence of therapeutic instruments and while having a...

• Famous Person
• Music Industry

The Joy of Painting: Exploring the Life and Legacy of Bob Ross

Who is Bob Ross, or rather, who was he? During the 80s and 90s, he was an artist who specialized in painting, hosting an instructional painting show on PBS called The Joy of Painting. Though Bob Ross has long since passed on, one will find...

The Uniqueness of Australian Artwork: Exploring Artists' Perceptions

Australian artists provide a unique way of displaying the Australian landscape. John Olsen is one of these artists, who uses symbolism to create a sense of movement. This is conveyed through his spontaneous linear line work as seen in Onkaparinga Hill, blue wren and fox...

Artistic World of Peter Doig: an Insight Into His Life and Work

Peter Doig is a contemporary Scottish artist I found that peaked my interest from his art work to his personal life. I’d like to start off by giving a brief background of the artist seeing that a lot of his work is landscapes from where...

• Contemporary Art

Being an Artist: My Passion, Place of Freedom and Courage

I remember constantly wondering if there was a way that I could make my life meaningful or if it even had meaning. I was just a thirteen year old starting to figure out her own self. My life revolved around wanting to please the people...

• About Myself

Sculpture From Dura Europas: the Head of a Bearded God

One of the artworks in the Yale art gallery is the Head of a Bearded God. This sculpture of bearded man that looks old and wise. This piece has curly hair, bushy eyebrows, and very wide/big eyes. The piece is is classified as a sculpture,...

Kashimiri Papier Mache Art: a Unique Dying Art Form

Kashmir has been wrought in conflict and upheaval for decades now, but its wonderful valleys give us a unique gift of native craftsmanship – Papier Mache art. Kashmir’s rich cultural past is often overlooked due to its troublesome political past. Its handicrafts and shawls (from...

The Art of the Meddah: Exploring Turkish Forms of Storytelling

Culture is the conglomeration of the beliefs and art forms of societiesm across places, along a long-time frame. And quite evidently, the Republic of Turkey has an extremely long history and a resultantly rich diversity in its culture. Throughout its history, the Turkish land was...

The Way Technologies Transform Already Existing Art Forms

Compelling games are not the consequences of accidents, any more than are riveting novels, movies, or music. Creators for all these medias draw on well-established set of strategies and techniques to create a particular emotional experience. Musicians, for example, may create tension through reiteration and...

How Shemistry Influenced the History and Presentation of Art

Chemistry is everywhere in our life. Of course, chemistry is also closely related to art. There are many forms of art, such as oil painting, gouache, watercolor and so on. These painting forms are inseparable from products such as pigments and watercolors, which are based...

Critical Understanding of the Sculptural Art of Alexander Calder

Calder was an American sculptor from Pennsylvania. His father, Alexander Stirling Calder was a sculptor and his mother a painter. Him and his family were constantly on the move around the country throughout Calder’s childhood due to his dads work. And through this Calder was...

Discussion on the Relationship Between Intelligence and Creativity

The relationship between intelligence and creativity has been subjected to research for many years. Unfortunately, there is yet no consensus on how these constructs are related. The connection between intelligence and creativity is that they are functions of the brain that handle data to determine...

• Intelligence

Do Schools Kill Creativity: the Issues of Music Education

In the TEDx video entitled, 'Do schools kill creativity?' Sir Ken Robinson discusses what he believes to be the main problem with our education system, providing a series of funny anecdotes and facts appropriate for his argument. After watching this video about 'Do schools kill...

Creative and Critical Thinking: Combining the Achievements of Thought

Creative, one word that can be interpreted in many ways whether in thoughts which is include ways of thinking and actions and also in verbal form. Critical, on the other side refers to the ability to analyse information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. It...

• Critical Thinking

Culture, Art and Creativity: the Way They Are Related

Art is a reflection of your thinking, your ideas, and your surroundings, the artist adopts his or her surroundings and then by using their imagination, outside thinking and their perspective they present a new face of it in front of the world. Art and creativity...

• Cultural Anthropology

Accessing the World of Theatre: Musicals and Music Theatre

Goodwin (2019) states music theatre is a type of stage performance using music from various forms such as ballets, operas, cabarets, and contemporary music. Musical theatre uses different techniques (e.g. music, dance, songs, acting as well as spoken dialogue) to tell a story to the...

Drawing for Architecture: A Key to Understanding Complex Designs

Architecture the word from Latin is called “architectura” originally from the Greek “arkhitekton”. Architectural drawing has never been taken for granted. All things we design and sketch are from our thinking to our hands. Therefore, drawings are the main development to architectural projects. When designing,...

Architecture: Bridging Vision into Reality

Architecture can be defined in various ways, but if I were to define it, I would simply use these following words, ‘Architecture is an abstract language that bridges a vision into reality.’ I think everyone would agree that architecture is best paired with great effort...

• Interior Design

The Development of Nationalism & Regionalism in Australian Architecture

Introduction From the 1880s, “nationalism” and “regionalism” had been started to be two of the keywords on the Australian development of architecture. These two words point toward the nation’s sake of rejecting foreign architectural approaches and seeking of the local architectural characteristics in Australia. During...

• Modern Architecture

Architecture: A Means to Improve People's Quality of Life

Introduction  “Architecture is about finding imaginative, creative solutions to improving people’s quality of life.” - Alejandro Aravena Architecture was born approach back in the prehistoric age, once the first man determined to come back up with shelters made up of twigs and bones. architecture isn't...

• Quality of Life

Architecture and its Role in Nation Building: A Critical Review

Brief introduction on architecture and how its spaces are perceived The universal definition of architecture as a synthesis of ‘art’ and ‘science’ is inadequate in the present democratic, globalized, and information world of the 21st century. Many modern good-looking buildings with sound structures have been...

Romanticism Paintings Analysis: The Raft of Medusa and Liberty Leading the People

I will be focusing on romanticism that is based on emotions and sublimity. I will be displaying the features of romantic art by analysing two paintings from the 19th century. These are The Raft of Medusa by Theodore Gericault (1819; Louvre Museum, Paris), oil on...

• Romanticism

The Ideas Behind The Persistence of Memory and Pillars of Society

George Grosz, Pillars of Society (1926) George Grosz was born in Berlin on July 26, 1893, he studied at Dresden Art Academy and began his career as a cartoonist. He later joined a Dada movement in 1917. And he was a famous figure in Neue...

• Salvador Dali

The Persistence of Memory, Starry Night and Analysis of Other Paintings

Dreams are something that everyone is or was able to have at one point in their life. Dreams are defined as, 'a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.' Many artists create their artworks from their dreams or other...

• Vincent Van Gogh

The System Of Education: If I Could Change The World

If I could change the world, I would completely change the system of education. It hasn't changed for hundreds of years, and the current system was designed in the Industrial Age. This means, that children in school have to obey every order and do only...

• Importance of Education

Expressive Art: Is Graffiti Art Or Vandalism

 Throughout time graffiti has received both overwhelming support and intense backlash. Some view it as a form of expressive art while others consider it a complete destruction of property. However, despite the amount of differentiation, charisma and personality graffiti can bring into cities, it is...

Why Is Art Important For Human

Art is not a necessary part of survival. So why does it matter? Oftentimes art is overlooked and viewed as an unimportant skill or ability to have. However, art has many qualities that one can benefit from. It is a stress reliever that allows people...

The Doll`s House" By H. Ibsen: Nora Helmer Character Analysis

Nora Helmer is a good wife and mother. She does all she can for her family, especially her husband. Considering all the things she does, and the lengths she went to to make sure her husband could regain his health, it was not enough in...

• A Doll's House

Why Is Graffiti Are Not Vandalism

Why is graffiti art not vandalism? According to the Mural Arts Philadelphia website, the village’s first legitimate effort to eradicate graffiti started with the form of the Anti-Graffiti Network in the 1980s. Some people assay that its vandalism, and some assay that its artifice. Park...

My Take On Comedy: From Tartuffe To Sylvia And Cards Against Humanity

Defining comedy is extremely difficult. When something happens that makes you laugh, whether that is in a play or in real life, it’s difficult to pin down why you laughed, to begin with. I find myself defining comedy as a series of events that went...

Attitudes Towards Consumerism in Contemporary Art

In this essay I will be using information gathered from my own personal research, studio research and relevant topics discussed throughout the lectures. Whilst also, considering social, economic, and cultural factors. I will be discussing and analyzing attitudes towards consumerism in Contemporary Art. Built from...

• Consumerism

One of the Most Common Forms of Theatre

Throughout this essay the focus of various practitioners will be explored thoroughly from the paths of life they took and how they became so successful, to the impact that their work had on other practitioners and in general the industry itself. The industry of theatre...

The Practice of Art Forgery and Monet's Aesthetic Flaws

A forgery is a work that is not genuine to its proclaimed origins, however, is presented as a genuine article, and is so acting with the intention to deceive. The practice of art forgery is as well established and mature as the practice of creating...

• Claude Monet

Visual Verbal Essay on Wilfred Owen and Franz Marc

This essay explores two artists, Franz Marc, Brett Whitely and two of their artworks depicting animal scenes. Franz Marc’s ‘Tiger’, ‘Blue Horse 1’ and Brett Whitley’s Giraffe and Hyena. These four artworks will be compared and contrasted using the structural and the subjective frame. In...

• Wilfred Owen

The Role of Creative Industries in the United Kingdom

In this essay I will go over and talk about the creative industries and the role they play in the United Kingdom, I will look at the history and the development of the Creative Industries and their sectors. I will then look at the wider...

• Great Britain

African Art: West African Sculpting 

West African sculpting greatly influenced us today because lots o people still do it like when Pablo Picasso recreated the style of west African art he created it like they would some real some supernatural and exaggerated on some body parts after Pablo Picasso shared...

• African Art

Caravaggio's Sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham Due to Divine Intervention

First of all, there are several juxtapositions present throughout the painting. For example, there is a dichotomous relationship between the cold sensuality in the foreground and the pastoral beauty in the background. Secondly, Caravaggio manages to convey the sensational struggle present between the unconditional loyalty...

Greetings From the 1970s Contemporary Photography

The term contemporary refers to things happening in the same period of or in the style of the present or recent times so when referring to contemporary photography that is only basic modern 21st-century pictures or videos.. Over the past years, something called 'the medium'...

• Photography

Claude Monet and Modern Art Today

“Claude Monet” was a famous French painter who used to catch his everyday life's best minutes on canvas. “Claude Monet” was born on 14 November 1840 and His father was a businessman and his mother was a singer. He is one of the most praised...

The World’s Wife Borrowed From Other Texts

It is often that literature, whether being a poem or a book, often provides a voice for those who lack one. The work by Carol Ann Duffy is an accumulation of poems titled 'The World's Wife', first published in 1999 and the present works through...

• Drama (Play Genre)

Typography: From Billboards to Street Signs

Typography is everywhere we look, in the books we read on the websites we visit even in everyday life, from billboards to street signs, product packaging and even on your mobile phone. It is the art and technique of designing and arranging type. Today the...

• Advertising

Rebellious Aspect to Monet’s Personality

Claude Monet is an artist who continues to be adored and held in high esteem even to this day. There may be many who perhaps are not familiar with the name, yet still at least recognise one piece of his work. His paintings are a...

Edgar Degas and His Way of Critics

Mary Cassatt was born in 1844. She was born in what is now known as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and died on June 14, 1926 at her French home right outside of Paris. Mary was raised in Philadelphia where she spent her childhood with a social privilege...

• Edgar Degas
• Impressionism

The Principles of Art: Movement, Unity, Harmony, Variety

If you were to ask someone “what is art essay”, the majority of people in the world would think of art and immediately their mind would shoot to a painting. The truth is, art is so much more than just a painting. There are thousands...

• Art Movement

Fairy Tale Black Swan Is a Story of a Ballerina

“Black Swan” is not the fairy tale of “swan lake” but a story of a ballerina, Nina. The story begins with the change of the company, the old lead dancer Beth is about to leave. The stage needs a new lead dancer who can act...

The Book Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Calico

One may call war a side effect of human civilization. Nevertheless, it is in a war that people show their best virtues: courage, loyalty, strength, perseverance, and honesty. Nothing is surprising in the fact that texts on this subject have existed since the writing appeared....

Comparing Two Great Pieces by Pablo Picasso and by Francisco Goya

Today I will be comparing and contrasting two great pieces called “GUERNICA” by Pablo Picasso and “THE THIRD OF MAY” by Francisco Goya.The “GUERNICA” by Pablo Picasso was hard to understand at first but the longer you look at it you understand it is a...

• Pablo Picasso

Black Swan is About Destructive Nature of Ballet

Nina Portman is a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her obsessive former ballerina mother Erica who exerts a suffocating control over her life. When artistic director...

The Development of Islamic Art

Islamic art is created not only for the Muslim faith, but it consists of artworks such as textiles, architecture, paintings and drawings that were produced in the regions that were once ruled by Muslim empires. Artists from various disciplines take part in collaborative projects and...

• History of Islam
• Islamic Art

Role of Cultural and Religious Pluralism

Cultural pluralism is a term used when smaller groups within a larger society maintain their own unique cultural identities. Migration is a key process that makes significant contribution to the growth of urbanism. Often immigrants belonging to particular region, language, religion ,tribe etc tend to...

• Art and Religion
• Religious Pluralism

John Berger: Understanding His Artwork

John Berger is a remarkable man who enlighten us with his knowledge using one of his brilliant essays “Ways of Seeing.” Berger has concurred the ability to fully understand any artwork and to recognize what is visible before him. He clarifies that there is a...

• John Berger

America’s Contemporary Multimedia Artist Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons is one of America’s most popular contemporary multimedia artists, who believes that art can change lives, give vastness and expand your parameters. Koons was born in York, Pennsylvania in 1955. He studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and the...

• American Culture

The Sistine Chapel Ceiling by Michelangelo

The Sistine Chapel Ceiling (Italian: Volta Della Cappella Sistina), painted by Michelangelo somewhere in the range of 1508 and 1512, is a foundation work of High Renaissance craftsmanship. The Creation of Adam' is one of the nine ceiling boards in the Sistine Chapel portraying scenes...

• Michelangelo

History of Medieval And Byzantine Art Movements

A painting wealthy in color typical for St.George on a rearing white horse, shown against a rocky landscape, slaying the winged monster as it appears before him. An angel crowns St.George with a martyr’s crown, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The tower on...

• Byzantine Empire

The Power Of Photography: Capturing Emotions With Camera

Photographs help people preserve memories with its technology, but what is actually happening is much more interesting when thought about in more depth. A moment in time is captured forever, so long as the photograph is kept in good shape. It is the closest people...

Jackson Pollock as an Influential America Artist

The painter Jackson Pollock was an influential America painter and a key person to the abstract expressionist movement. He was born in Cody , Wyoming in 1912 and he was the youngest of 5 brothers. He grew up in Arizona and Chico, California he moved...

• Jackson Pollock

The Girl Who Loved Caravaggio by Belle Ami

The Girl Who Loved Caravaggio by Belle Ami is a romantic suspense thriller and the second book in the Out of Time series. High on the success of finding a centuries-old Leonardo da Vinci painting, Angela Renatus, and her fiance Alex Caine are on a...

The Portrayal of the Culture of Death and Afterlife in Art

Throughout history, different cultures dealt with the concept of death and afterlife according to their beliefs, and developed different perspectives about what happens after the body dies. These ideas were often reflected in their art, literature, and their lifestyle as well. Most cultures produce art...

Art Nouveau and Modernist Movements in Art

Art Nouveau is originated in England. William Morris collaborated with other artists so Art Nouveau was created. It has a wide range of different decorative arts, like architectural, painting, graphic art, and jewelry. It was most popular during the 1890s. Its popularity came to a...

• Art Nouveau
• William Morris

The Famous Michelangelo Merisi Da Caravaggio

The famous Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio produced original paintings, criticizing those who imitated other artists creative styles. He even accused the great Giovanni Baglione and Guido Reni for imitating his uniquely developed techniques. Caravaggio was the building block for modern art and followed by many....

Art of Theatre and French Figure Joan of Arc

Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) is an irish playwright, critic, and political activist. His influence on Western theatre started from the 1880s till after his death. He won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1925 becoming the leading dramatist of his generation. Shaw's first play to bring...

• Joan of Arc

The Beauty and Skill of Ansel Adams’ Photography

Ansel Adams was born in San Francisco, California on February 20, 1902. As a child, Adams had many freedoms and lots of energy. He was an unattractive child, with big dark circles under his eyes, a crooked nose, and large ears. He was often teased...

• Ansel Adams

Holi Festival and Vibrant Celebration of Colors

Holi is a very vibrant celebration of colors. We have to wait for a whole year. So we can enjoy the festival of color. Although, Holi is fun and joyous. It's also immensely damaging to your skin. The colors are not extracted from flowers but...

• Holi Festival

The Struggle of the Graphic Designers and Social Media

Graphic designers relied heavily on word-of-mouth for their works to become popular and to be seen by the public, it was close to impossible to grow an organic dedicated fanbase to follow your work, nowadays with the rise of the internet and social media, you...

• Graphic Design

Some Interesting Facts About Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali was one of the most, if not the most celebrated artist of the 20th century. His art is iconic, his personality, eccentric, his fashion sense, interesting, his style, unique, his showmanship, unforgettable. All these combined to make him an interesting human and a...

Salvador Dali's Biography: Main Topics

 Salvador Dali was born on May 11, 1904 in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain. His father was an atheist lawyer who was very strict in Dali’s upbringing. Dali’s mother, on the other hand, was loving and encouraged him to be artistic. He has an older brother named...

Caravaggio’s Artwork Judith Beheading Holofernes

For this essay, you needed to decide on a painting, Sculpture and other selected types of art work by which ever artist that created them before the 1900’s.Select a topic out of the selection given to do research about the topic and art work to...

William Morris: Arts and Crafts Movement

William Morris was a famous artists who mainly focused on his wallpaper and fabric designs. While he was mainly known for his art, even today, he had many other notable careers and accomplishments, One of them being that he founded the Arts and crafts movement....

Breaking The Parametr In Red Wheelbarrow: Analysis

The most conspicuous element of modernist poetry is the invention and experimentation of new forms of representation. It featured movements such as imagism and symbolism and moved consciously away from naturalism and realism. Ezra Pound was one of the first to delve into this new...

The Importance Of Paying Attention To Detail In Architecture

The architectural detailing process of a project is a long process that includes a lot of steps and patterns to consider. The designing issue is not consecutive for making a theoretical plan for the entire structure, the detailing, and construction of a building. It is...

Depiction Of Revolution In Les Miserables And Musical Theatre

This essay will deliberate the framework of genre, and investigate Musical Theatre, a genre within performing arts. What is Genre? Genre has been around for centuries, it commenced with the Greek philosophers Aristotle and Plato, they created a classification system that would separate literature into...

• Les Miserables

The Concepts Of Love And Hate With Loyalty In "Romeo And Juliet"

Loyalty is a virtue that most people strive for as seen in the play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, which is about two feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets. Romeo, a Montague and Juliet, a Capulet fall in love. Throughout...

• Romeo and Juliet
• William Shakespeare

Romeo And Juliet: The Decision Between Choice And Fate

“God gave us free will, and we may choose to exercise it in ways that end up hurting other people”-Francis Collins. Romeo and Juliet is a tragic play written by Shakespeare, that follows the lives of two star-crossed lovers. The setting of Romeo and Juliet...

Societal Views On Graffiti: Street Art Or Vandalism

When you think of graffiti what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Vandalism or street art? Most would say vandalism, but what makes the distinction between the two? The intention of the piece. There’s a difference between defiling the back of a building and...

Portrayal Of Love And Hate In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Shakespeare’s exploration of themes through tragic conventions make the play, Romeo and Juliet, of enduring relevance to modern audiences. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1595) captures audiences through the thrill of lovers from feuding families racing together to their tragic demises. This play explores themes understood...

Graffiti And Street Art As An Act Of Vandalism

It is difficult to apply a single definition to what is considered Art. Whether it can or should be defined has been constantly debated. “The definition of art is controversial in contemporary philosophy. Whether art can be defined has also been a matter of controversy....

Passionate Pursuit: Being Passionate About Art

Different pieces of artwork inspire people all around the world. Artists use a wide variety of techniques to make their work unique. While creating new pieces of art, it is common to look at other artists' work for inspiration. While evaluating their artwork you can...

Andy Warhol's Album Artwork: Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

As the saying goes, don't judge a book by its cover, or in this case an album, but sometimes it cannot be helped. Custom packaging is an extremely important with any kind of product but despite this album cover art has not always been used...

• Andy Warhol

The Role Of Other Characters In Death Of Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is such a tragic love story. It is sad that their lives ended, but that doesn’t mean their love for eachother did; their love may still live on with them in the after life. There are many characters who had a role...

The Presentation Of Love In Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is a play written by Shakespeare in the 1500’s. It tells us the tragedy of two young lovers named Romeo and Juliet who fall in love at first sight but can never be together due to their two families conflict which ends...

The Importance Of Different Types Of Love In Romeo And Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare during the 16th century that mainly follows the themes of love and tragedy. The intense passion the two lovers from both households have for one another causes the deaths of their friends, family and themselves....

The Use Of Hyperbole And Symbolism In "The Doll's House"

A Doll's House delves into the lives of a young couple living in Victorian era Norway. The play follows Nora through her journey, from her previously unexamined life of domestic, wifely comfort, to questioning the very foundation of everything she used to believe in. Having...

Realism In A Doll's House Play

Realism as a literary movement emerged in the late nineteenth century and extended to the twentieth century, the most important factors that led to the emergence of the period of realism is the horrors that happened to people after the World War, which made the...

20th Century Art: Representational Abstract Art

One of the most influential and significant periods in the history of the arts is the 20th century. It was a period that consisted of many rapid and radical artistic changes that gave birth to endless ideas, possibilities, experiences, and visions. Not only were ideas,...

• Abstract Art

The Opposite Concepts Of Realism Versus Idealism

 Introduction When comparing realism and idealism, the concepts must be understood historically, theoretically and practically. In this essay, a number of steps will be taken to present a thorough overview of the two schools of thought. Firstly, the epistemological and metaphysical questions of philosophy will...

The Abstract Art And Pop Art Artists And Movements

Pop art emerged in the mid 1950s in Britain, then later in the 1950s in the United States of America. Pop art still influences designers and artists to this day, was against abstract expressionists, pop artists saw abstract artists as intense. The art was a...

Romanticism & Realism: Changing Landscapes 

In my essay I will be looking at the contrast between romanticism and photo-realism, how light controls the image and how photographers are able to control how the picture will look like, by the time of day, the angle and being able to change the...

• Romantic Era

The Abstract Art And Expressionism In World War 2

In World War 2, many countries were destroyed by Hitler and his army. There were allies which were the U.S., Britain, France, USSR, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, and Yugoslavia and the axis powers, which were...

Coriolanus: Plutarch's And William Shakespeare's Versions

Two of the greatest contributors to the “Struggle of the Orders” between Plebeians and Patricians were the Patricians’ fears of Plebeian power overshadowing their influence on Roman politics, as well as the issues of grain pricing and distribution. Plutarch’s “Coriolanus” within his Parallel Lives work...

The Definition Of Fate And Free Will In Macbeth

Throughout time, it has been believed that fate has the power to forge one’s destiny. On the other hand though, I believe these choices can defy fate and that fate only manipulates one's mind into choosing their own path. In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare messes...

Reality Of Romanticism And Realism Under The Umbrella Of Gothic Genre

Two of the most common genres of writing that is found in literature belongs to either the Romanticism movement or the Realist/Naturalism movement. While these two movements might seem like they are related to each other, they are very opposite from one another in the...

Best topics on Art

1. What Does Creativity Mean to You

2. Censorship of Art and Artists: The Complex Discourse

3. Why I Want to Study Architecture: the Power of Design

4. The Impact of Technology on Art: A Modern Renaissance

5. Exploring Feminist Literary Criticism: Unveiling Mona Lisa Smile

6. Frida Kahlo: Exploring Her Biography Through the Film ‘Frida’

7. Debate Surrounding Graphic Novel and Relation to Literature

8. Depicting Trauma: Symbolism in Graphic Novels

9. Understanding Graphic Novels: Context and Analysis for Reading

10. Jhene Aiko: Exploring the Artistry and Emotions in her Music

11. The Joy of Painting: Exploring the Life and Legacy of Bob Ross

12. The Uniqueness of Australian Artwork: Exploring Artists’ Perceptions

13. Artistic World of Peter Doig: an Insight Into His Life and Work

14. Being an Artist: My Passion, Place of Freedom and Courage

15. Sculpture From Dura Europas: the Head of a Bearded God

• Jean-Michel Basquiat

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Visual Analysis: How to Analyze a Painting and Write an Essay

A visual analysis essay is an entry-level essay sometimes taught in high school and early university courses. Both communications and art history students use visual analysis to understand art and other visual messages. In our article, we will define the term and give an in-depth guide on how to look at a piece of art and write a visual analysis essay. Stay tuned until the end for a handy visual analysis essay example from our graduate paper writing service .

What Is Visual Analysis?

Visual analysis is essential in studying Communication, English, and Art History. It's a fundamental part of writing about art found in scholarly books, art magazines, and even undergraduate essays. You might encounter a visual analysis as a standalone assignment or as part of a larger research paper.

When you do this type of assignment, you're examining the basic elements of an artwork. These include things like its colors, lines, textures, and size. But it goes beyond just describing these elements. A good analysis also considers the historical context in which the artwork was created and tries to understand what it might mean to different people.

It also encourages you to look closely at details and think deeply about what an artwork is trying to say. This kind of analysis makes you appreciate art more and teaches you how to explain your ideas clearly based on what you see in the artwork.

What is the Purpose of Visual Analysis?

The purpose of a visual analysis is to recognize and understand the visual choices the artist made in creating the artwork. By looking closely at different elements, analysts can learn a lot about how an artwork was made and why the artist made certain choices. 

For example, studying how colors are used or how things are arranged in the artwork can reveal its themes or the emotions it's trying to convey. Also, understanding the time period when the artwork was created helps us see how societal changes and cultural ideas influenced its creation and how people reacted to it.

If you don’t feel confident working on your task alone, leave us a request - ' write my paper for me ' and we'll handle it for you professionally.

Another Visual Analysis Paper Looming?

Don't stress! Send your requirements and breathe easy – our writing experts are here to help.

How to Write a Visual Analysis Step-by-Step

To create an insightful visual analysis, you should not only examine the artwork in detail but also situate it within a broader cultural and historical framework. This process can be broken down into three main steps: 

• Identifying, describing, and analyzing the visual material
• Situating the visual material in its context
• Interpreting and responding to the content of the visual material.

Let’s discuss each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Identify, Describe, and Analyze the Visual Material

Begin by clearly identifying the visual material you will analyze. This could be a painting, photograph, sculpture, advertisement, or any other visual artwork. Provide essential information such as the title, artist, date, and medium. 

Next, offer a detailed description of the visual material. Focus on the key elements and principles of design, such as:

• Composition

Describe what you see without interpreting its meaning yet. For instance, note the use of bright colors, the placement of objects, the presence of figures, and the overall layout. This descriptive part forms the foundation of your analysis, allowing your reader to visualize the artwork.

Afterward, consider how the artist uses elements like contrast, balance, emphasis, movement, and harmony. Analyze the techniques and methods used and how they contribute to the overall effect of the piece. 

Step 2: Situate the Visual Material in its Context

To fully understand a piece of visual material, you need to consider its historical and cultural context. Start by researching the time period when the artwork was created. Look at the social, political, and economic conditions of that time, and see if there were any cultural movements that might have influenced the artwork.

Next, learn about the artist and their reasons for creating the visual material. Find out about the artist's life, other works they have made, and any statements they have made about this piece. Knowing the artist’s background can give you valuable insights into the artwork's purpose and message.

Finally, think about how the visual material was received by people when it was first shown and how it has impacted others over time. Look for reviews and public reactions, and see if it influenced other works or movements. This will help you understand the significance of the visual material in the larger cultural and artistic context.

Step 3: Interpret and Respond to the Content of the Visual Material

Now, combine your description, analysis, and understanding of the context to interpret what the visual material means. Talk about the themes, symbols, and messages the artwork conveys. Think about what it reveals about human experiences, society, or specific issues. Use evidence from earlier steps to support your interpretation.

Afterward, consider your own reaction to the visual material. How does it personally resonate with you? What emotions or thoughts does it provoke? Your personal response adds a subjective aspect to your analysis, making it more relatable.

Finally, summarize your findings and emphasize the importance of the visual material. Highlight key aspects from your identification, description, analysis, context, and interpretation. Then, it concludes by reinforcing the impact and significance of the visual material in both its original setting and its enduring influence.

Who Does Formal Analysis of Art

Most people who face visual analysis essays are Communication, English, and Art History students. Communications students explore mediums such as theater, print media, news, films, photos — basically anything. Comm is basically a giant, all-encompassing major where visual analysis is synonymous with Tuesday.

Art History students study the world of art to understand how it developed. They do visual analysis with every painting they look it at and discuss it in class.

English Literature students perform visual analysis too. Every writer paints an image in the head of their reader. This image, like a painting, can be clear, or purposefully unclear. It can be factual, to the point, or emotional and abstract like Ulysses, challenging you to search your emotions rather than facts and realities.

6 Questions to Answer Before Analyzing a Piece of Art

According to our experienced term paper writer , there are six important questions to ask before you start analyzing a piece of art. Answering these questions can make writing your analysis much easier:

• Who is the artist, and what type of art do they create? - To place the artwork in context, you should identify the artist and understand the type of art they create. 
• What was the artist's goal in creating this painting? - Determine why the artist created the artwork. Was it to convey a message, evoke emotions, or explore a theme?
• When and where was this artwork made? - Knowing the time and place of creation helps understand the cultural and historical influences on the artwork.
• What is the main focus or theme of this artwork? - Identify what the artwork is about. This could be a person, place, object, or abstract concept.
• Who was the artwork created for? - To provide insight into its style and content, consider who the artist intended to reach with their work. 
• What historical events or cultural factors influenced this painting? - Understanding the historical background can reveal more about the significance and meaning of the artwork.

Count on the support of the professional writers of our essay writing service .

Elements of the Visual Analysis 

To fully grasp formal analysis, it's important to differentiate between the elements and principles of visual analysis. The elements are the basic building blocks used to create a piece of art. These include:

Principles of the Visual Analysis

The principles, on the other hand, are how these elements are combined and used together to create the overall effect of the artwork. These principles include:

Visual Analysis Outline

It’s safe to use the five-paragraph essay structure for your visual analysis essay. If you are looking at a painting, take the most important aspects of it that stand out to you and discuss them in relation to your thesis. 

In the introduction, you should:

• Introduce the Artwork : Mention the title, artist, date, and medium of the artwork.
• Provide a Brief Description : Offer a general overview of what the artwork depicts.
• State the Purpose : Explain the goal of your analysis and what aspects you will focus on.
• Thesis Statement : Present a clear thesis statement that outlines your main argument or interpretation of the artwork.

The body of the visual analysis is where you break down the visual material into its component parts and examine each one in detail. This section should be structured logically, with each paragraph focusing on a specific element or aspect of the visual material.

• Description: Start with a detailed description of the visual material. Describe what you see without interpreting or analyzing it yet. Mention elements such as color, line, shape, texture, space, and composition. For instance, if analyzing a painting, describe the subject matter, the arrangement of figures, the use of light and shadow, etc.
• Analysis of Visual Elements: Analyze how each visual element contributes to the overall effect of the material. Discuss the use of color (e.g., warm or cool tones, contrasts, harmonies), the role of lines (e.g., leading lines, contours), the shapes (e.g., geometric, organic), and the texture (e.g., smooth, rough). Consider how these elements work together to create a certain mood or message.
• Contextual Analysis: Examine how the context in which the visual material was created and is being viewed influences its interpretation. This includes historical, cultural, social, and political factors. Discuss how these contextual elements impact the meaning and reception of the visual material.
• Interpretation: Discuss your interpretation of the visual material. Explain how the visual elements and contextual factors contribute to the meaning you derive from it. Support your interpretation with specific examples from the material.
• Comparative Analysis (if applicable): If relevant, compare the visual material with other works by the same creator or with similar works by different creators. Highlight similarities and differences in style, technique, and thematic content.

The conclusion of a visual analysis essay summarizes the main points of the analysis and restates the thesis in light of the evidence presented.

• Restate Thesis: Reiterate your thesis statement in a way that reflects the depth of your analysis. Show how your understanding of the visual material has been supported by your detailed examination.
• Summary of Main Points: Summarize the key points of your analysis. Highlight the most important findings and insights.
• Implications: Discuss the broader implications of your analysis. What does your analysis reveal about the visual material? How does it contribute to our understanding of the creator's work, the time period, or the cultural context?
• Closing Thought: End with a final thought that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This could be a reflection on the significance of the visual material, a question for further consideration, or a statement about its impact on you or on a broader audience.

If you want a more in-depth look at the classic essay structure, feel free to visit our 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY blog.

Visual Analysis Example

In this section, we've laid out two examples of visual analysis essays to show you how it's done effectively. Get inspired and learn from them!

Key Takeaways

Visual analysis essays are fundamental early in your communications and art history studies. Learning how to formally break down art is key, whether you're pursuing a career in art or communications.

Before jumping into analysis, get a solid grasp of the painter's background and life. Analyzing a painting isn't just for fun, as you need to pay attention to the small details the painter might have hidden. Knowing how to do this kind of assignment not only helps you appreciate art more but also lets you deeply understand the media messages you encounter every day. 

If you enjoyed this article and found it insightful, make sure to also check out the summary of Lord of the Flies and an article on Beowulf characters .

If you read the whole article and still have no idea how to start your visual analysis essay, let a professional writer do this job for you. Contact us, and we’ll write your work for a higher grade you deserve. All college essay service requests are processed fast.

Paper Panic?

Our expert academics can help you break through that writer's block and craft a paper you can be proud of.

What are the 4 Steps of Visual Analysis?

How to write a formal visual analysis, what is the function of visual analysis.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• Added new sections
• Added new writing steps
• Added a new example
• Updated an outline
• Duke University. (n.d.). Visual Analysis . https://twp.duke.edu/sites/twp.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/visual-analysis.original.pdf  
• Glatstein, J. (2019, December 9). Formal Visual Analysis: The Elements & Principles of Composition . Www.kennedy-Center.org. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/articles-and-how-tos/articles/educators/visual-arts/formal-visual-analysis-the-elements-and-principles-of-compositoin/  
• MADA: Visual analysis . (n.d.). Student Academic Success. https://www.monash.edu/student-academic-success/excel-at-writing/annotated-assessment-samples/art-design-and-architecture/mada-visual-analysis  

Call/Text/Whatsapp:

+1 (888-687-4420)

24/7/365 Available

• College Essay
• Argumentative Essay
• Expository Essay
• Narrative Essay
• Descriptive Essay
• Scholarship Essay
• Admission Essay
• Reflective Essay
• Nursing Essay
• Economics Essay

Assignments

• Term Papers
• Research Papers
• Case Studies
• Dissertation
• Presentation
• Editing Help
• Cheap Essay Writing
• How to Order

Visual Analysis Essay

Visual Analysis Essay - A Writing Guide with Format & Sample

14 min read

People also read

Learn How to Write an Editorial on Any Topic

Best Tips on How to Avoid Plagiarism

How to Write a Movie Review - Guide & Examples

A Complete Guide on How to Write a Summary for Students

Write Opinion Essay Like a Pro: A Detailed Guide

Evaluation Essay - Definition, Examples, and Writing Tips

How to Write a Thematic Statement - Tips & Examples

How to Write a Bio - Quick Tips, Structure & Examples

How to Write a Synopsis – A Simple Format & Guide

How to Write a Comparative Essay – A Complete Guide

List of Common Social Issues Around the World

Writing Character Analysis - Outline, Steps, and Examples

11 Common Types of Plagiarism Explained Through Examples

Article Review Writing: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

A Detailed Guide on How to Write a Poem Step by Step

Detailed Guide on Appendix Writing: With Tips and Examples

A visual analysis essay is a common assignment for the students of history, art, and communications. It is quite a unique type of academic essay. 

Visual analysis essays are where images meet text. These essays aim to analyze the meanings embedded in the artworks, explaining visual concepts in a written form. 

It may sound difficult to write a visual analysis essay, but it can be done in simple steps by following the right approach. Let’s dive into the writing steps, tips, example essays, and potential topics to help you write an excellent essay. 

• 1. What is a Visual Analysis Essay
• 2. How to Write a Visual Analysis Essay - 7 Simple Steps
• 3. Tips on How to Analyze a Photograph
• 4. Tips on How to Analyze a Sculpture
• 5. Visual Analysis Essay on Advertisement
• 6. Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay Examples
• 7. Visual Analysis Essay Topics

What is a Visual Analysis Essay

A visual analysis essay basically requires you to provide a detailed description of a specific visual work of art. It is a type of analytical essay that deals with imagery and visual art instead of texts.

The subject of a visual analysis essay could be an image, painting, photograph, or any visual medium. 

In this type of essay, you need to describe the artwork and analyze its elements in detail. That is, how different elements and features fit together to make the whole work stand out. In this sense, you need to use a mixture of descriptive writing and analytical language. 

To write a good visual analysis essay, you need to know the basic visual elements and principles of design. Let’s learn about these concepts first before diving into the writing steps.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job

Visual Elements for a Visual Analysis Essay

Writing a visual analysis essay involves analyzing the visual elements of a piece of art. These elements form the basis of the features and characteristics of an image. 

Below you can find the common visual elements of a visual analysis essay.

Principles of Design in a Visual Analysis Essay

In addition to visual elements, you must also consider the principles of design for writing a great visual analysis essay. These principles help you identify and explain the characteristics of the image. 

How to Write a Visual Analysis Essay - 7 Simple Steps

Now that you have an idea about visual elements and principles, you are now ready to proceed. 

Here are the steps that you need to follow for writing a visual analysis essay. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Step 1 - Gather General Information About the Artwork

Once you have a specific artwork or image, here is how to start a visual analysis essay. You need to ask some basic questions about the work and jot down your ideas.

This pre-writing step is for brainstorming ideas. Ask these questions to begin:

• Who and what does the artwork represent? 
• Who is the author of the piece? 
• Who did the artist create the work for? Who is the intended audience?
• When and where was the work created? What is its historical context?
• Where was this work displayed for the first time?
• Identify which medium, materials, and techniques were used to create the image?

Step 2 - Note Down the Characteristics of the Artwork

The next thing that you need to do is identify what the image depicts. Moreover, you need to identify and describe the visual art elements and design principles used in the work. 

Here’s what you need to note:

• The subject matter and its representation.
• Colors, shapes, and lines used in the composition.
• The balance, proportion, and harmony within the artwork.
• Any symbolism or metaphors present.

By pointing out such characteristics, you set the stage for a nuanced analysis in your essay.

Step 3 - Visual Analysis Essay Outline 

Once you have gathered your main points by carefully studying the image, you should now organize them in an outline.

Here is how you make an outline for your visual analysis essay:

Step 4- Write the Introduction

This is the first paragraph of a visual analysis essay in which you need to provide some background information on the topic. After grabbing the readers’ attention with an interesting fact, briefly provide information on the following points. 

• Talk briefly about the painting and its artist or creator.
• Provide a brief description of the painting and give historical context
• Add an interesting fact about the artist or the painting. 

The introduction should end with a thesis statement. The visual analysis essay thesis states the analysis points on the artwork that you aim to discuss in your essay. 

Step 5 - Provide Detailed Description, Analysis, and Interpretation

In the body section, you need to explore the artwork in detail. In the first body paragraph, simply describe the features and characteristics of the work. For instance, talk about the technique being used, shape, color, and other aspects to support your thesis. 

In the next paragraphs, you can go into the analysis and interpretation of these elements and the work as a whole. Present all the details logically and discuss the relationship between the objects. Talk about the meaning, significance, and impact of the work.

Step 6 - Writing a Conclusion

Once you have completed the body section, move to the conclusion paragraph. This is the last paragraph of the essay that should be strong and well-written to create a sense of closure.

Here’s how you can do it

• Revisit the main insights gained through the analysis, summarizing the key visual elements and principles discussed. 
• Emphasize the significance of cultural or historical context in interpreting the visual narrative. 
• Tie together the threads of your analysis to reinforce your thesis or main argument.
• End with a memorable statement and encourage readers to carry the lessons learned from the analysis into their own encounters with art. 

Step 7 - Edit & Revise Your Essay

Here’s how to end your visual analysis essay: edit and revise your first draft until it becomes the perfect version. Consider these steps for an excellent revision:

• Review for Clarity: Ensure your ideas flow logically. Clarify any ambiguous or unclear statements to enhance the overall readability of your essay.
• Trim Unnecessary Details: Trim excess information that doesn't directly contribute to your main points. Keep your analysis focused and concise.
• Check Consistency: Verify that your writing style remains consistent throughout the essay. Maintain a balance between formal language and engaging expression.
• Fine-Tune Transitions: Ensure smooth transitions between different sections of your essay. Transitions help guide your reader through the analysis, making the journey more enjoyable and comprehensible.
• Proofread for Errors: Carefully proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. A polished essay enhances your credibility and the overall professionalism of your work.

With these basic steps, you can craft an amazing visual analysis essay. Read on for some useful tips for analyzing different kinds of visual subjects.

Tips on How to Analyze a Photograph

Painting and photograph analysis are very similar. There are three ways in which photo visual analysis is conducted: description, reflection, and formal analysis.

Although the historical study may be used, it is not necessary.

• Description -  It implies examining the picture carefully and considering all of the details. The description should be neutral, focusing on simple facts without expressing a personal viewpoint.
• Reflection -  For the next stage, consider the emotions that the picture stirs in you. Every viewer will have a distinct viewpoint and feelings about the piece. Knowing some historical background might be useful when formulating an educated response.
• Formal analysis -  Consider the visual components and concepts. How are they shown in the photo?
• Historical analysis -  For a contextual analysis, keep an eye on the photo's surroundings. Make sure you comprehend the surrounding environment in which the photograph was taken. What era was this image shot during?

Tips on How to Analyze a Sculpture

A sculpture, unlike a painting or photograph, requires a different approach to visual analysis. It still depends on visible components and principles, however it does so in a slightly different way.

When you're writing about sculptures, keep the following in mind:

• Medium, size, and technique -  What kind of material is it? Is it carved in a negative or positive method?
• Color and lightning -  Describe the hue of the sculpture, whether it is painted. Was the sculptor concerned with the illumination when creating the work?
• Human body and scale -  Consider how a human body is portrayed in the piece. Also, assess the sculpture's size compared to that of the viewer.
• Function -  What was the sculpture's main aim? You could speak about whether it represented a religious conviction or honored someone, for example.
• Composition -  Examine the placement of the piece and determine whether there is a focal point.

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

Visual Analysis Essay on Advertisement

In advertisements, visuals are used to pique interest or persuade the public that what is being advertised is needed. The goal of a visual argument is to generate attention and intrigue. Images are utilized in advertisements to transmit information and interact with the audience.

When conducting a visual analysis of an ad, keep the following in mind:

• Textual Elements
• Illustrations
• Composition

This all has an impact on how people perceive information and how they react to it.

When you analyze the visuals of an ad, you're performing a rhetorical analysis. The study of images and extracting information from them is known as visual rhetoric. It aids in the comprehension of typography, imagery, and the structure of elements on the page.

How to Write a Visual Analysis Paper on an Advertisement

Visual components in advertising are important. It aids in the persuasion of the audience.

Always keep the rhetorical situation in mind while analyzing visual arguments. The following are some key elements to consider:

• Audience -  Who is the advertisement meant to attract?
• Purpose -  What message does the photo try to get across to the audience?
• Design -  What kind of visualizations are included? Are the visuals clear and easy to follow? Are there any patterns or repetitions in the design?
• Strategies -  Is there any humor, celebrities, or cultural allusions in the graphic's message?
• Medium -  Is the photograph surrounded by text? Is there any text within the picture? How does it interact with the picture to produce an intended effect if there is any?
• Context -  What are the characters in an ad? Where are they positioned?
• Subtext -  Consider the meaning of the picture's words. What are they trying to say?

Visual Rhetorical Analysis Essay Examples

Here are some visual analysis essay samples that you can read to understand this type of essay better. 

Art history Visual Analysis Essay Example

Political Cartoon Visual Analysis Essay

Rhetorical and Visual Analysis Essay Sample

Mona Lisa Visual Analysis Essay

Visual Analysis Essay Topics

Here are some top visual analysis essay topics that you can choose from and begin the writing process.

• Make a review of your favorite Hollywood production and discuss the visual arts involved.
• Write about the use of color and action in TV commercials.
• Discuss how the brand name is displayed in digital media campaigns.
• Discuss different types of visual appeals used in web ads.
• What is the special about Cleo Award-winning ads?
• The Use of Light and Shadow in Caravaggio's "The Calling of Saint Matthew"
• The Symbolism of Colors in Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night"
• What is the importance of art and culture in our life?
• How has art changed over the last 50 years?
• The use of colors in marketing and advertising. 

To conclude, 

From gathering information about the artwork to crafting a compelling analysis, we've navigated the essential steps you need for a visual analysis essay. Moreover, with the specific tips and examples, you have everything you need to get started.

So dive into the writing process with confidence and return to this blog whenever you need help on any step!

Do you often find yourself asking a question like: can I pay someone to do my essay ?

Our professional essay writers at MyPerfectWords.com can help you with your visual analysis essay assignment. Contact us with your order details, and we will get it done for you. 

Place your order now and get the best visual analysis essay writing help you need. 

Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Art History

What this handout is about.

This handout discusses a few common assignments found in art history courses. To help you better understand those assignments, this handout highlights key strategies for approaching and analyzing visual materials.

Writing in art history

Evaluating and writing about visual material uses many of the same analytical skills that you have learned from other fields, such as history or literature. In art history, however, you will be asked to gather your evidence from close observations of objects or images. Beyond painting, photography, and sculpture, you may be asked to write about posters, illustrations, coins, and other materials.

Even though art historians study a wide range of materials, there are a few prevalent assignments that show up throughout the field. Some of these assignments (and the writing strategies used to tackle them) are also used in other disciplines. In fact, you may use some of the approaches below to write about visual sources in classics, anthropology, and religious studies, to name a few examples.

This handout describes three basic assignment types and explains how you might approach writing for your art history class.Your assignment prompt can often be an important step in understanding your course’s approach to visual materials and meeting its specific expectations. Start by reading the prompt carefully, and see our handout on understanding assignments for some tips and tricks.

Three types of assignments are discussed below:

• Visual analysis essays
• Comparison essays
• Research papers

1. Visual analysis essays

Visual analysis essays often consist of two components. First, they include a thorough description of the selected object or image based on your observations. This description will serve as your “evidence” moving forward. Second, they include an interpretation or argument that is built on and defended by this visual evidence.

Formal analysis is one of the primary ways to develop your observations. Performing a formal analysis requires describing the “formal” qualities of the object or image that you are describing (“formal” here means “related to the form of the image,” not “fancy” or “please, wear a tuxedo”). Formal elements include everything from the overall composition to the use of line, color, and shape. This process often involves careful observations and critical questions about what you see.

Pre-writing: observations and note-taking

To assist you in this process, the chart below categorizes some of the most common formal elements. It also provides a few questions to get you thinking.

Let’s try this out with an example. You’ve been asked to write a formal analysis of the painting, George Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty , ca. 1800 (created in Britain and now in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond).

What do you notice when you see this image? First, you might observe that this is a painting. Next, you might ask yourself some of the following questions: what kind of paint was used, and what was it painted on? How has the artist applied the paint? What does the scene depict, and what kinds of figures (an art-historical term that generally refers to humans) or animals are present? What makes these animals similar or different? How are they arranged? What colors are used in this painting? Are there any colors that pop out or contrast with the others? What might the artist have been trying to accomplish by adding certain details?

What other questions come to mind while examining this work? What kinds of topics come up in class when you discuss paintings like this one? Consider using your class experiences as a model for your own description! This process can be lengthy, so expect to spend some time observing the artwork and brainstorming.

Here is an example of some of the notes one might take while viewing Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty :

Composition

• The animals, four pigs total, form a gently sloping mound in the center of the painting.
• The upward mound of animals contrasts with the downward curve of the wooden fence.
• The gentle light, coming from the upper-left corner, emphasizes the animals in the center. The rest of the scene is more dimly lit.
• The composition is asymmetrical but balanced. The fence is balanced by the bush on the right side of the painting, and the sow with piglets is balanced by the pig whose head rests in the trough.
• Throughout the composition, the colors are generally muted and rather limited. Yellows, greens, and pinks dominate the foreground, with dull browns and blues in the background.
• Cool colors appear in the background, and warm colors appear in the foreground, which makes the foreground more prominent.
• Large areas of white with occasional touches of soft pink focus attention on the pigs.
• The paint is applied very loosely, meaning the brushstrokes don’t describe objects with exact details but instead suggest them with broad gestures.
• The ground has few details and appears almost abstract.
• The piglets emerge from a series of broad, almost indistinct, circular strokes.
• The painting contrasts angular lines and rectangles (some vertical, some diagonal) with the circular forms of the pig.
• The negative space created from the intersection of the fence and the bush forms a wide, inverted triangle that points downward. The point directs viewers’ attention back to the pigs.

Because these observations can be difficult to notice by simply looking at a painting, art history instructors sometimes encourage students to sketch the work that they’re describing. The image below shows how a sketch can reveal important details about the composition and shapes.

Writing: developing an interpretation

Once you have your descriptive information ready, you can begin to think critically about what the information in your notes might imply. What are the effects of the formal elements? How do these elements influence your interpretation of the object?

Your interpretation does not need to be earth-shatteringly innovative, but it should put forward an argument with which someone else could reasonably disagree. In other words, you should work on developing a strong analytical thesis about the meaning, significance, or effect of the visual material that you’ve described. For more help in crafting a strong argument, see our Thesis Statements handout .

For example, based on the notes above, you might draft the following thesis statement:

In Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty, the close proximity of the pigs to each other–evident in the way Morland has overlapped the pigs’ bodies and grouped them together into a gently sloping mound–and the soft atmosphere that surrounds them hints at the tranquility of their humble farm lives.

Or, you could make an argument about one specific formal element:

In Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty, the sharp contrast between rectilinear, often vertical, shapes and circular masses focuses viewers’ attention on the pigs, who seem undisturbed by their enclosure.

Support your claims

Your thesis statement should be defended by directly referencing the formal elements of the artwork. Try writing with enough specificity that someone who has not seen the work could imagine what it looks like. If you are struggling to find a certain term, try using this online art dictionary: Tate’s Glossary of Art Terms .

Your body paragraphs should explain how the elements work together to create an overall effect. Avoid listing the elements. Instead, explain how they support your analysis.

As an example, the following body paragraph illustrates this process using Morland’s painting:

Morland achieves tranquility not only by grouping animals closely but also by using light and shadow carefully. Light streams into the foreground through an overcast sky, in effect dappling the pigs and the greenery that encircles them while cloaking much of the surrounding scene. Diffuse and soft, the light creates gentle gradations of tone across pigs’ bodies rather than sharp contrasts of highlights and shadows. By modulating the light in such subtle ways, Morland evokes a quiet, even contemplative mood that matches the restful faces of the napping pigs.

This example paragraph follows the 5-step process outlined in our handout on paragraphs . The paragraph begins by stating the main idea, in this case that the artist creates a tranquil scene through the use of light and shadow. The following two sentences provide evidence for that idea. Because art historians value sophisticated descriptions, these sentences include evocative verbs (e.g., “streams,” “dappling,” “encircles”) and adjectives (e.g., “overcast,” “diffuse,” “sharp”) to create a mental picture of the artwork in readers’ minds. The last sentence ties these observations together to make a larger point about the relationship between formal elements and subject matter.

There are usually different arguments that you could make by looking at the same image. You might even find a way to combine these statements!

Remember, however you interpret the visual material (for example, that the shapes draw viewers’ attention to the pigs), the interpretation needs to be logically supported by an observation (the contrast between rectangular and circular shapes). Once you have an argument, consider the significance of these statements. Why does it matter if this painting hints at the tranquility of farm life? Why might the artist have tried to achieve this effect? Briefly discussing why these arguments matter in your thesis can help readers understand the overall significance of your claims. This step may even lead you to delve deeper into recurring themes or topics from class.

Tread lightly

Avoid generalizing about art as a whole, and be cautious about making claims that sound like universal truths. If you find yourself about to say something like “across cultures, blue symbolizes despair,” pause to consider the statement. Would all people, everywhere, from the beginning of human history to the present agree? How do you know? If you find yourself stating that “art has meaning,” consider how you could explain what you see as the specific meaning of the artwork.

Double-check your prompt. Do you need secondary sources to write your paper? Most visual analysis essays in art history will not require secondary sources to write the paper. Rely instead on your close observation of the image or object to inform your analysis and use your knowledge from class to support your argument. Are you being asked to use the same methods to analyze objects as you would for paintings? Be sure to follow the approaches discussed in class.

Some classes may use “description,” “formal analysis” and “visual analysis” as synonyms, but others will not. Typically, a visual analysis essay may ask you to consider how form relates to the social, economic, or political context in which these visual materials were made or exhibited, whereas a formal analysis essay may ask you to make an argument solely about form itself. If your prompt does ask you to consider contextual aspects, and you don’t feel like you can address them based on knowledge from the course, consider reading the section on research papers for further guidance.

2. Comparison essays

Comparison essays often require you to follow the same general process outlined in the preceding sections. The primary difference, of course, is that they ask you to deal with more than one visual source. These assignments usually focus on how the formal elements of two artworks compare and contrast with each other. Resist the urge to turn the essay into a list of similarities and differences.

Comparison essays differ in another important way. Because they typically ask you to connect the visual materials in some way or to explain the significance of the comparison itself, they may require that you comment on the context in which the art was created or displayed.

For example, you might have been asked to write a comparative analysis of the painting discussed in the previous section, George Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty (ca. 1800), and an unknown Vicús artist’s Bottle in the Form of a Pig (ca. 200 BCE–600 CE). Both works are illustrated below.

You can begin this kind of essay with the same process of observations and note-taking outlined above for formal analysis essays. Consider using the same questions and categories to get yourself started.

Here are some questions you might ask:

• What techniques were used to create these objects?
• How does the use of color in these two works compare? Is it similar or different?
• What can you say about the composition of the sculpture? How does the artist treat certain formal elements, for example geometry? How do these elements compare to and contrast with those found in the painting?
• How do these works represent their subjects? Are they naturalistic or abstract? How do these artists create these effects? Why do these similarities and differences matter?

As our handout on comparing and contrasting suggests, you can organize these thoughts into a Venn diagram or a chart to help keep the answers to these questions distinct.

For example, some notes on these two artworks have been organized into a chart:

As you determine points of comparison, think about the themes that you have discussed in class. You might consider whether the artworks display similar topics or themes. If both artworks include the same subject matter, for example, how does that similarity contribute to the significance of the comparison? How do these artworks relate to the periods or cultures in which they were produced, and what do those relationships suggest about the comparison? The answers to these questions can typically be informed by your knowledge from class lectures. How have your instructors framed the introduction of individual works in class? What aspects of society or culture have they emphasized to explain why specific formal elements were included or excluded? Once you answer your questions, you might notice that some observations are more important than others.

Writing: developing an interpretation that considers both sources

When drafting your thesis, go beyond simply stating your topic. A statement that says “these representations of pig-like animals have some similarities and differences” doesn’t tell your reader what you will argue in your essay.

To say more, based on the notes in the chart above, you might write the following thesis statement:

Although both artworks depict pig-like animals, they rely on different methods of representing the natural world.

Now you have a place to start. Next, you can say more about your analysis. Ask yourself: “so what?” Why does it matter that these two artworks depict pig-like animals? You might want to return to your class notes at this point. Why did your instructor have you analyze these two works in particular? How does the comparison relate to what you have already discussed in class? Remember, comparison essays will typically ask you to think beyond formal analysis.

While the comparison of a similar subject matter (pig-like animals) may influence your initial argument, you may find that other points of comparison (e.g., the context in which the objects were displayed) allow you to more fully address the matter of significance. Thinking about the comparison in this way, you can write a more complex thesis that answers the “so what?” question. If your class has discussed how artists use animals to comment on their social context, for example, you might explore the symbolic importance of these pig-like animals in nineteenth-century British culture and in first-millenium Vicús culture. What political, social, or religious meanings could these objects have generated? If you find yourself needing to do outside research, look over the final section on research papers below!

Supporting paragraphs

The rest of your comparison essay should address the points raised in your thesis in an organized manner. While you could try several approaches, the two most common organizational tactics are discussing the material “subject-by-subject” and “point-by-point.”

• Subject-by-subject: Organizing the body of the paper in this way involves writing everything that you want to say about Moreland’s painting first (in a series of paragraphs) before moving on to everything about the ceramic bottle (in a series of paragraphs). Using our example, after the introduction, you could include a paragraph that discusses the positioning of the animals in Moreland’s painting, another paragraph that describes the depiction of the pigs’ surroundings, and a third explaining the role of geometry in forming the animals. You would then follow this discussion with paragraphs focused on the same topics, in the same order, for the ancient South American vessel. You could then follow this discussion with a paragraph that synthesizes all of the information and explores the significance of the comparison.
• Point-by-point: This strategy, in contrast, involves discussing a single point of comparison or contrast for both objects at the same time. For example, in a single paragraph, you could examine the use of color in both of our examples. Your next paragraph could move on to the differences in the figures’ setting or background (or lack thereof).

As our use of “pig-like” in this section indicates, titles can be misleading. Many titles are assigned by curators and collectors, in some cases years after the object was produced. While the ceramic vessel is titled Bottle in the Form of a Pig , the date and location suggest it may depict a peccary, a pig-like species indigenous to Peru. As you gather information about your objects, think critically about things like titles and dates. Who assigned the title of the work? If it was someone other than the artist, why might they have given it that title? Don’t always take information like titles and dates at face value.

Be cautious about considering contextual elements not immediately apparent from viewing the objects themselves unless you are explicitly asked to do so (try referring back to the prompt or assignment description; it will often describe the expectation of outside research). You may be able to note that the artworks were created during different periods, in different places, with different functions. Even so, avoid making broad assumptions based on those observations. While commenting on these topics may only require some inference or notes from class, if your argument demands a large amount of outside research, you may be writing a different kind of paper. If so, check out the next section!

3. Research papers

Some assignments in art history ask you to do outside research (i.e., beyond both formal analysis and lecture materials). These writing assignments may ask you to contextualize the visual materials that you are discussing, or they may ask you to explore your material through certain theoretical approaches. More specifically, you may be asked to look at the object’s relationship to ideas about identity, politics, culture, and artistic production during the period in which the work was made or displayed. All of these factors require you to synthesize scholars’ arguments about the materials that you are analyzing. In many cases, you may find little to no research on your specific object. When facing this situation, consider how you can apply scholars’ insights about related materials and the period broadly to your object to form an argument. While we cannot cover all the possibilities here, we’ll highlight a few factors that your instructor may task you with investigating.

Iconography

Papers that ask you to consider iconography may require research on the symbolic role or significance of particular symbols (gestures, objects, etc.). For example, you may need to do some research to understand how pig-like animals are typically represented by the cultural group that made this bottle, the Vicús culture. For the same paper, you would likely research other symbols, notably the bird that forms part of the bottle’s handle, to understand how they relate to one another. This process may involve figuring out how these elements are presented in other artworks and what they mean more broadly.

Artistic style and stylistic period

You may also be asked to compare your object or painting to a particular stylistic category. To determine the typical traits of a style, you may need to hit the library. For example, which period style or stylistic trend does Moreland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty belong to? How well does the piece “fit” that particular style? Especially for works that depict the same or similar topics, how might their different styles affect your interpretation? Assignments that ask you to consider style as a factor may require that you do some research on larger historical or cultural trends that influenced the development of a particular style.

Provenance research asks you to find out about the “life” of the object itself. This research can include the circumstances surrounding the work’s production and its later ownership. For the two works discussed in this handout, you might research where these objects were originally displayed and how they ended up in the museum collections in which they now reside. What kind of argument could you develop with this information? For example, you might begin by considering that many bottles and jars resembling the Bottle in the Form of a Pig can be found in various collections of Pre-Columbian art around the world. Where do these objects originate? Do they come from the same community or region?

Patronage study

Prompts that ask you to discuss patronage might ask you to think about how, when, where, and why the patron (the person who commissions or buys the artwork or who supports the artist) acquired the object from the artist. The assignment may ask you to comment on the artist-patron relationship, how the work fit into a broader series of commissions, and why patrons chose particular artists or even particular subjects.

Additional resources

To look up recent articles, ask your librarian about the Art Index, RILA, BHA, and Avery Index. Check out www.lib.unc.edu/art/index.html for further information!

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Adams, Laurie Schneider. 2003. Looking at Art . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Barnet, Sylvan. 2015. A Short Guide to Writing about Art , 11th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Tate Galleries. n.d. “Art Terms.” Accessed November 1, 2020. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Make a Gift

Visual and Performing Arts Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Visual and performing arts entail arts that artists are chromatic in nature created for conveyance through body and voice. As such, it includes arts that can be presented in forms of drawings, crafts, photography or any type of architecture. This implies that during presentation these forms of arts are accompanied with spoken words, music, dances and other musical instruments. The individuals who perform before the audience could be actors, dancers, magicians, or singers. To enhance creativity and interest of audience, the performers could perform with stage make-up and costumes. Based on these, the enthusiasts of the work contribute to the realization of fan and joy from the performance. In addition, when the artists present live performance before an audience, this form of art is called fine art. Nevertheless, this form of art culminates to visual and performing arts (Laban & Ullmann 2011, p.35). As a result, visual and performing arts are crucial for the participators and the society as a whole.

In my opinion, visual and performing arts entail multiple experiences for the creators, performers and audience members. For a creator, visual and performing arts should be captivating and interesting for the audience to enjoy it. This implies that one needs to adopt creativity and innovation with respect to artistic work. Meanwhile, the performer has to exploit their talents to win the hearts of audience through unique and interesting items. On the other hand, the audience member always anticipated to observe or hear what is fascinating and attractive. Through this act, one is motivated to spend his or her time and money for the arts. This unique expectation and roles of the art members is very crucial and has to be addressed appropriately at each level (Curtis et al. 2012, p.6).

The study of visual and performing arts is very crucial for the success in the industry. Through the knowledge and skills gained, one can be able to identify the evolution of the industry and make projections of audience desires in the future. Based on this notion, creativity and innovation will be stimulated that is bounded within expectations of the audience. As a result, one will flourish, and the industry will grow and expand in the right direction. Similarly, the knowledge gained through the studies enables one to understand the regulation and policies that govern the artistic industry. For this reason, one will be knowledgeable, and contributed in the industry suitably (Laban & Ullmann 2011, p.79).

There are multiple reasons for human creation or participation in the visual and performing arts. Initially, talent and innovation drives the creators in the artistic work. Based on these vital elements, creators venture into the industry to entertain and offer fun to prospective audience. The aftermath of this leads to significant income that allows one to flourish and grow with the growth of the industry. For the participators such as audience and sponsors, they get entertained while contributing to talented individuals (Curtis et al. 2012, p.8). These crucial interconnections lead to the growth of a desirable society that values human contribution.

Visual and performing arts contributions influence immensely our societies. In this case, the artistic works done by creators usually depict the real life situations. In an entertaining manner, they portray what happens in reality. As a result, the audiences gain vital tips of life and ways of handling them. Through the process of projection and reiteration of life experience, people can cope with challenges and learn means of appreciating themselves. Similarly, most artistic work present essential skills that are expected from an ideal society by differentiating what are right from wrong. As a result, a desirable society is realized.

Curtis, D. J., Reid, N., & Ballard, G. (2012). Communicating Ecology Through Art: What Scientists Think. Ecology and Society , 17 (2), 6-8

Laban, R., & Ullmann, L. (2011). Choreutics . Hampshire, UK: Alton.

• Ancient Chinese Arts Comparison
• Contemporary Art at Saatchi Gallery of London
• The Appearance of an Artist
• “Moving from Musician as Performer to Musician as Pastor” by William Bradley Roberts
• Key Characteristics of the Rococo Style in Arts
• Street Art as a Political Protest
• Shaun Gladwell’s Art: Materials And Techniques
• Sand Animation Works by Kseniya Simonova
• Islamic Art: The Pilgrim Bottle and Nasrid Plasterwork
• The Development of Art and Architecture in Cameroon
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, June 3). Visual and Performing Arts. https://ivypanda.com/essays/visual-and-performing-arts/

"Visual and Performing Arts." IvyPanda , 3 June 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/visual-and-performing-arts/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Visual and Performing Arts'. 3 June.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Visual and Performing Arts." June 3, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/visual-and-performing-arts/.

1. IvyPanda . "Visual and Performing Arts." June 3, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/visual-and-performing-arts/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Visual and Performing Arts." June 3, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/visual-and-performing-arts/.

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

• Basic site functions
• Ensuring secure, safe transactions
• Secure account login
• Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
• Remembering privacy and security settings
• Analyzing site traffic and usage
• Personalized search, content, and recommendations
• Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

• Remembering general and regional preferences
• Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy .

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .

What Are the Visual Arts?

• Art History
• Architecture

The visual arts are those creations that we can see rather than something like the auditory arts, which we hear. These art forms are extremely diverse, from the artwork that hangs on your wall to the movie you watched last night.

What Types of Art Are Visual Arts?

The visual arts include mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, film, and printmaking. Many of these pieces of art are created to stimulate us through a visual experience. When we look at them, they often provoke a feeling of some sort.

Within the visual arts is a category known as the decorative arts , or craft . This is art that is more utilitarian and has a function but retains an artistic style and still requires talent to create. The decorative arts include ceramics, furniture making, textiles, interior design, jewelry making, metal crafting, and woodworking.

What Are 'The Arts'?

The arts , as a term, has an interesting history. During the Middle Ages , the arts were scholarly, limited to seven categories, and did not involve creating anything for people to look at. They were grammar, rhetoric, dialectic logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music.

To further confuse matters, these seven arts were known as the fine arts , in order to distinguish them from the useful arts because only "fine" people—those who did not do manual labor—studied them. Presumably, the useful arts people were too busy being useful to require an education.

At some point in the ensuing centuries, people realized there was a difference between a science and an art. The phrase fine arts came to mean anything that had been created to please the senses. After losing the sciences, the list then included music, dance, opera, and literature, as well as what we think of as the visual arts: painting, sculpture, architecture, and the decorative arts.

That list of fine arts got a little long for some. During the 20th century, the fine arts were split up into further categories.

• Visual arts (e.g., painting, sculpture)
• Auditory arts (e.g., music, radio drama)
• Performance arts (can combine the other categories of arts, but they are performed live, such as theater and dance. Note the plural to distinguish it from performance art , which is performed art that is not theater.)

Visual arts can also be subdivided into graphic arts (those done on a flat surface) and plastic arts (e.g., sculpture).

What Makes Art 'Fine'?

Within the world of the visual arts, people still make distinctions between "fine" art and everything else. It really does get confusing, and it can change, depending on who you're speaking with.

For instance, painting and sculpture are almost automatically classified as fine arts. The decorative arts, which are at times exhibit a finer nature and craftsmanship than some fine arts, are not called "fine."

Additionally, visual artists sometimes refer to themselves (or are referred to by others) as fine artists , as opposed to commercial artists . However, some commercial art is really wonderful—even "fine," some would say.

Because an artist needs to sell art in order to remain a working artist, a strong argument could be made that most art is commercial. Instead, the category of commercial art is typically reserved for art created to sell something else, such as for an advertisement.

This is exactly the kind of wording that puts many people off of art.

It would really simplify matters if we could all just stick with visual, auditory, performance, or literary when we speak of the arts and eliminate fine altogether, but that's now how the art world sees it.

• Ways of Defining Art
• What Is Balance in Art and Why Does It Matter?
• Outline of Art History - Visual Arts Movements from 30,000 BC-400 AD
• Finding Rhythm in the Visual Arts
• A List of Ancient Greek Artists
• Performance Art
• The Life and Art of Charles Demuth, Precisionist Painter
• Minimalism or Minimal Art Mid-1960s to the Present
• The Life and Art of Jenny Holzer, Artist of Text-Based Truisms
• Why Should I Study Art History?
• What Is the Definition of 'Medium' in Art?
• What Is Nonrepresentational Art?
• Origins and Schools of Abstract Art
• What Is the Definition of Color in Art?
• The Definition of Shape in Art
• What Is Texture in Art?

Seeing Beyond the Obvious: Tips for Writing a Strong Visual Analysis Essay

Art, Philology, and Communication students very often come face to face with the need to write formal analysis essays. One of the varieties is an essay that explores the visual elements of the subject of art. While the structure of a visual analysis paper is not much different from other essays, the content requirements are quite intricate.

There are many different directions for writing a visual analysis essay. Each assignment requires an individual approach, but there are key pillars that you can rely on when writing your work. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the details of a good visual analysis essay. Moreover, we are about to share tips from professional writers, which will make the process of writing a formal analysis much easier for you.

Visual Analysis Essay Features

A visual analysis essay is based on a detailed study of the selected artistic object. The main task of visual analysis is to highlight the major distinguishing features of a visual image, as well as to carry out a meticulous description of each component and visual characteristics. The purpose of the visual analysis essay is to examine the influence of common visual elements on culture, social life, and direction in the development of art. Sometimes you can find it difficult to understand the requirements for a paper. That’s why professionals of our service can write your lit review in a matter of hours. Also, the analysis of artistic works brings clarity to the overall portrait of the visual display of an entire nation. It’s because artists often portray the realities of their country’s life by depicting history through art.

Persuasive writing in the form of a visual analysis requires the student to have a comprehensive knowledge of the field of study. For this reason, you need to know basic concepts regarding the theoretical aspects of art to conduct a contextual analysis.

The task of such work is not only to briefly describe images or depict elements of the chosen piece of visual art but also to study the historical context in detail. That is, the conditions, prerequisites, visual arguments, and hidden meaning of the masterpiece should be of no less interest to the author than the piece itself.

Elements of a Visual Analysis Essay

Before writing visual analysis essays, art students have to get to know the key components of such works. There is a certain set of art elements that you need to pay attention to analyzing an art piece. They will help build a comprehensive picture of the context and meaning of the work of art.

Composition

Composition is the scheme by which an artist creates his work. When analyzing images, two-dimensional art, you have to pay attention to the visual representation of the central figures, such as the human body in the image. What is at the center of a particular image? What is the significance of this location? What is the first thing that catches your eye? What draws your attention the most in a painting or photograph?

While exploring three-dimensional art for your visual analysis essay, you will have to study sculpture design. The student should allocate the main figures present in the composition and examine in detail their placement within the boundaries of the work.

Elements of design

In the process of writing visual analysis papers, you need to study the basic design elements in detail. Among them, there are color, line, texture, shape, and form. It is this fragment of work that makes up the largest array of information and scientific novelty of your essay. The process of writing a visual analysis essay takes a lot of time and effort. That is why many students prefer to resort to the help of an analytical essay writing service to write a visual analysis essay professionally. You should evaluate design principles as objectively as possible. To conduct such an in-depth analysis, you have to study a large amount of theoretical literature and technical data.

Focal point

The focal point is the central figure of the composition. Study all the visible aspects in detail and calculate the author’s idea to include this data in the visual analysis essay. Which visual element is intended to be the centerpiece of a rhetorical situation?

The cost of the work tells the level of recognition of the artist at the time of the sale of the painting. This is one of the characteristics that allow you to analyze the history of the art piece more for your visual argument essay. Was the artist also famous during his lifetime, or did he become popular only after his death?

The size of the painting itself, as well as the objects and characters in it, is an important element of visual analysis. Study the volume and size of the painting, as well as analyze what meaning the artist concluded on the visual display of the scale.

Symbolic elements

The symbolic objects of the picture are designed to convey the hidden meaning that was laid down by the artist. The analysis of these visual elements will help you understand the prerequisites for writing a work and will also reveal to you the hidden meanings of the artist.

Visual Analysis Essay Outline

It is well known that outlining an essay is an integral part of the writing process. This is necessary to properly organize your thoughts and clearly state them in your work. Visual analysis sticks to a classical five-paragraph essay structure. Due to this essay format, the first paragraph is an introduction, then comes three paragraphs of the body and one paragraph of conclusions.

Start the first paragraph with a thesis statement. This writing technique exists to summarize the main idea of the text and give a brief description of the topic. Also, the visual analysis thesis statement should attract the attention of the reader, intrigue, and interest.

The body part of the painting analysis essay includes three separate paragraphs, each of which presents a detailed description of an idea. When creating your essay outline, plan how you will subdivide your thoughts. Be sure to separate technical detailed analysis from your ideas about the visual object.

The final paragraph of a visual analysis essay sums up what you have written so far. In this section, you should state as concisely as possible the thoughts that you came up with during the visual analysis. There is a working technique for writing essays. You need to write in the last paragraph what you would like the reader to remember the most.

Tips for Analyzing a Sculpture

When analyzing a sculpture, we pay attention not only to the overall composition but also to the historical context of its creation. Sculpture analysis consists of a detailed study of visual images. Let’s look at the following aspects of writing a quality essay:

Start by learning the history of the sculpture. This is considered to be one of the best rhetorical analysis writing tips for college essays. What guided the sculptor when creating this visual rhetoric? In what period of life and work was this work created?

Evaluate the volumes and pay attention to space and lines. What is the general form of the sculpture? Does the sculpture inherit natural motifs, or does it depict something man-made? Is the work dominated by clear lines, or is it prone to randomness? What is the distance between the repetitive elements of the sculpture? Is there a feeling of airiness or, on the contrary, infringement?

Distinguish the role of the light. Did the author try to convey a certain effect with the help of light? Does the light bring the visual argument to the piece? Does chiaroscuro add drama to the work? Does the light help to intertwine opposing elements?

Understand the function. Perhaps the artist intended the sculpture to be a part of a private collection. Does the artwork represent some historical meaning?

Study composition. Who or what is the primary figure of the sculpture? How different elements are combined within the piece?

Tips for Photo Analysis Essay

Photo visual analysis also consists in studying the components of the portrait itself and analyzing the visual arguments and the background of its creation. It is very important to take a complex approach to the issue and make the work as comprehensive as possible.

The exposure. What is the range of light in the photo? Is the portrait overexposed or darkened?Did the author put special meaning into this visual display?

The skyline. Was the photo taken parallel to the ground or at a certain angle? Why did the author decide to shift the horizon line?

The key figures. Is there a key element in the photographic composition? Is the central figure one or several? Who or what is the center of the composition?

The texture. Is the photo clear and sharp, or smooth and hazy? Is there graininess in the photo? Was the graininess added during processing, or is it inherent in the basic settings of the camera?

The colors. What color is the photo taken in? Is the photo color black and white? Did the author want to achieve a certain effect with the play of color?

How to Write a Visual Analysis Paper

As we have already mentioned, writing a visual analysis requires analyzing visual arguments, considerable preparation, and theoretical knowledge in the field of art. And although the process of writing a critical analysis essay is quite time-consuming and energy-intensive, this is undoubtedly an interesting task to complete. Let’s summarize and find out how to write an essay on visual analysis.

First of all, always start by creating an outline of your visual analysis essay. Not only will this help you structure your ideas, but it will also point out flaws in the composition of your essay. Also, don’t forget to pay attention to the thesis statement, which is designed to grab the reader’s attention and state the main idea of the analysis essay.

Start by studying art history before moving on to analyze different visual elements. Carrying out a historical analysis to understand the origins of creative work will lead to a better understanding of the purpose and idea of the work.

When you write a visual analysis, you should make sure to include your personal opinion . Your fresh thou on famous paintings can open up a new audience’s perception of well-known masterpieces.

Never forget, the same approach in the analysis may be suitable for the study of classical painting and be completely inappropriate for modern one. Artists of different trends use actual lines and textures in different ways. Somewhere the smears are clear and graphic, and somewhere soft and weightless. Select study methods depending on the characteristics of a particular work or author .

Visual Analysis Essay Topics Ideas

Visual analysis essays, for sure, are one of the most difficult and interesting forms of rhetorical analysis in college writing. The art world provides us with a huge variety of topics and directions that require study. Here we list some of the most recent and relevant topics for writing your visual analysis essay.

• Analyzing the use of color in Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night”
• The symbolism of the mirror in Diego Velázquez’s “Las Meninas”
• The political and social commentary in Banksy’s street art
• Analyzing the use of light and shadow in Caravaggio’s paintings
• The cultural significance of Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits
• The emotional impact of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”
• The use of perspective in Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”
• Analyzing the portrayal of women in Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”
• The use of negative space in the minimalist art of Agnes Martin
• The visual representation of power in propaganda posters from World War II

Example of Visual Analysis Essay

And yet, no matter how much we explain to you the theoretical aspects of writing an essay on visual analysis, it is always better to see something on your own. Let’s study together an example of such an essay and consider how different concepts were combined into this work.

Here’s an example of a Visual Analysis Essay on Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting “Dinosaur”:

Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting “Dinosaur” is a powerful work of art that combines various elements to create a stunning visual experience. The painting, which was created in 1983, features a large dinosaur-like creature in the center of the canvas. The creature is depicted in Basquiat’s signature style, with bold, black lines and vibrant colors. At first glance, the dinosaur appears to be the focal point of the painting. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there are many other elements at play. The background of the painting is a chaotic mixture of different colors and shapes, which gives the impression of movement and energy. The various shapes and lines seem to be swirling around the dinosaur, as if it is the center of a vortex. One of the most striking features of the painting is the way that Basquiat has incorporated text into the composition. The word “dinosaur” is written in large, bold letters at the top of the painting. In addition, there are many other words and phrases scattered throughout the canvas, including “skeletons”, “wings”, and “teeth”. These words add an extra layer of meaning to the painting, suggesting that the dinosaur represents something more than just a prehistoric creature. One possible interpretation of the painting is that it is a commentary on the nature of power and dominance. The dinosaur, with its large size and fierce appearance, represents those who hold power over others. The chaotic background of the painting, with its swirling lines and shapes, could represent the chaos and confusion that often accompany the exercise of power. The words and phrases scattered throughout the canvas could be seen as further commentary on the subject, highlighting the various aspects of power and dominance. Overall, Basquiat’s painting “Dinosaur” is a complex and multi-layered work of art that invites viewers to contemplate its meaning and significance. Through its use of bold lines, vibrant colors, and provocative text, the painting challenges us to think deeply about the nature of power, dominance, and the human condition.

Bottom Line

Students often have to keep in mind a large number of requirements for a visual analysis essay. Sometimes it is very difficult to concentrate, and there is not enough time and energy to write a paper. Remember that experienced specialists are always ready to help you. We hope this article has become useful for you, and we wish you success in writing a visual analysis essay!

Related posts:

• How To Write A Good Compare And Contrast Essay: Topics, Examples And Step-by-step Guide

How to Write a Scholarship Essay

• How to Write the Methods Section for a Research Paper: Effective Writing Guide
• Explaining Appeal to Ignorance Fallacy with Demonstrative Examples

Improve your writing with our guides

Definition Essay: The Complete Guide with Essay Topics and Examples

Critical Essay: The Complete Guide. Essay Topics, Examples and Outlines

Get 15% off your first order with edusson.

Connect with a professional writer within minutes by placing your first order. No matter the subject, difficulty, academic level or document type, our writers have the skills to complete it.

100% privacy. No spam ever.

• Search Close search
• Find a journal
• Search calls for papers
• Journal Suggester
• Open access publishing

We’re here to help

Find guidance on Author Services

Free access

Art makes society: an introductory visual essay

• Cite this article
• https://doi.org/10.1080/21500894.2013.782334

Introduction: art is doing, not viewing!

Art as material culture, art as action, conclusions, notes on contributors, acknowledgements.

• Full Article
• Figures & data
• Reprints & Permissions
• View PDF PDF

In this visual essay that serves as an introduction to the set of articles presented in this issue, we illustrate four ways that art makes society. We adopt a stance informed by recent perspectives on material culture, moving away from thinking about art purely in aesthetic terms, instead asking how art objects have significance in particular cultural and social contexts. Arguing that art is participatory as well as visually affecting, we first suggest that art creates sites of activity for shared interaction. Second, we discuss the varied ways that people use art to create and assert representational models for social relations. Third, we consider the varied roles of art as cultural capital, marking out members of society through shared forms of knowledge or access to art. Finally, we document the ways that art serves as a medium of exclusion and as a means for resisting authority or challenging power relations. We highlight the layered meanings inherent in many artworks.

• material culture
• performance
• social relations
• archaeology

Anthropological perspectives on art have changed radically in the last three decades. In the modern West, ‘art’ has traditionally been understood as a form of high culture, participated in through norms of connoisseurship, patronage, and individual expression. Images and objects have been primarily seen as things to view, set apart in museums, galleries, and other public places. Archaeologists and anthropologists have traditionally treated art in a parallel way, as symbolic expressions of meanings and values. In such an approach, scholars viewed art with the aim of interpreting (or decoding) an act of communication expressed in conventional symbolic forms.

Recently, however, scholars in both anthropology and the various disciplines focused on art studies have expressed scepticism that such a perspective can encompass the realities of art as it is experienced, thought about, and engaged with, both in Western settings and in the wider world. In art studies, a material turn has foregrounded the presence of objects more than their interpretation (Moxey Citation 2008 ). Anthropologists argue that concepts of the uniqueness of artworks, for example, may be emphasised more in the West than elsewhere. In line with developments in material culture theory (Miller Citation 2005 ; Tilley Citation 1999 ; Tilley et al. Citation 2006 ), art is now seen more in terms of its participation, engagement, and actions with people, rather than simply as objects and images to be passively viewed (Gell Citation 1998 ; Morphy and Perkins Citation 2006 ).

Regarding art as a behaviour – an instance of ‘making special’ – shifts the emphasis from the modernist's view of art as object or quality or the postmodernist's view of it as text or commodity to the activity itself (the making or doing and appreciating), which is what it is in many pre-modern societies where the object is essentially an occasion for or an accoutrement to ceremonial participation … (Dissanayake Citation 1995 , 223)

In this introduction to the special issue ‘Art makes society’, we explore the implications of this approach. We do not consider the theoretical arguments in depth, but instead illustrate with examples the range of ways that art helps to constitute social relations. Our aim is to provide a general context for the articles which make up this issue.

Writing as archaeologists and anthropologists exploring a topic which stands at the crossroads of many fields, we wish to position ourselves clearly. One goal of the contributors to this issue is simply to provoke archaeologists and anthropologists to think about art in relation to societal dynamics. In response to doubts about the relevance of a traditional, Western category of ‘art’ for the understanding of other cultures, many anthropologists have abandoned the term altogether in favour of a focus on material culture. Exceptions are anthropologists working at the interface of Western and non-Western cultures, who ask how the specifically Western conceptions of art are used in appropriating and commodifying indigenous creations (Küchler Citation 1988 ; Marcus and Myers Citation 1995 ; Thomas Citation 1991 ). Archaeologists generally follow suit. As a consequence, art is left untheorised, except through a semiotic/representationalist paradigm that limits what we can do, beyond trying – often fruitlessly and usually contentiously – to interpret the content. If instead we acknowledge that art is material culture with specific properties and capacities, we can understand much more. Looking beyond the disciplinary boundaries of archaeology and anthropology, we also recognise important theoretical developments in fields such as art history and visual culture studies. The movement towards regarding the art object as influential through its presence and material qualities (Moxey Citation 2008 ) is parallel to the material turn happening across the humanities and social sciences more broadly, an art-theory cognate to ‘thing theory’ in literature (Brown Citation 2001 ) and approaches to materiality in anthropology (Miller Citation 2005 ). Indeed, since these themes are already commonly explored in the archaeological literature, we see great potential for studies of art to open up a rich dialogue across disciplines.

The shift in perspective described above is intertwined with broader transformations in anthropological approaches to art. Some of the impact of art certainly derives from its aesthetic properties; for example, in ritual, emotional impacts may derive in part from the beauty or tactility of the objects or aspects of performance, or from the virtuosity displayed by an artisan (DeMarrais Citation 2013 ). In most cultures, some objects are fashioned with effort and skill to create a strong aesthetic impression (Coote Citation 1992 ; Morphy and Perkins Citation 2006 ); the natural world similarly has aesthetic qualities that inspire artists as well as viewers. At the same time, anthropologists have traditionally and rightly been cautious about imposing a high culture, aesthetic view of ‘art’ on non-Western peoples and, indeed, on European works before the Renaissance. The category of ‘art’ is often problematic, as ethnographers have repeatedly demonstrated (Gell Citation 1998 ; Layton Citation 1991 ; Myers Citation 1991 ). As Appadurai ( Citation 1986 ) pointed out over 25 years ago, an object's significance is as dependent on its cultural context and history as on its intrinsic properties. Indigenous ‘art’ often operated within completely different frames from those which Westerners habitually impose on things designated as art. An excellent example is Küchler's (1988) study of Malanggan statues, which were never intended to last. Although Western collectors treat the statues as art, purchasing them for display in museums, the statues were meant to decay, with the making of the statue serving to cement and to secure the memory of the deceased. Thus, the things archaeologists and anthropologists understand as ‘art’ include images and objects produced for uses that range well beyond what ‘art’ does in our own society. Further examples include numerous medieval paintings framing ritual settings (as altarpieces for example), the sculptures of Classical Antiquity that became objects of veneration, and much prehistoric and non-Western rock art executed as acts of participation with perhaps little concern for creating permanently visible or lasting designs (Fowles and Arterberry Citation 2013 ).

… These boards are richly carved and painted, and they are the first thing that the Trobrianders’ overseas exchange partners get to see when the Trobriand flotilla arrives on their shores, before exchange operations get under way. The purpose of these beautiful carvings is to demoralize the opposition … Neither the Trobrianders nor their exchange partners operate a category of ‘art’ as such; from their point of view the efficacy of these boards stems from the powerful magical associations they have … (Gell Citation 1998 , 69)

As both Gell ( Citation 1998 ) and Dissanayake ( Citation 1995 ) have argued, from different starting points, the visibility of the objects, their social effects, and their distinctiveness (often indicated by the time and effort put into their making) reveal that these objects were intended to have an impact.

In this collection of papers, in line with ongoing theoretical debate, contributors emphasise not aesthetic qualities per se , but the material realities of art (objects and images) in their social contexts. If art is seen as (visual) material culture, we need to look past approaches to art as meaning, as symbols and as representation (and beyond aesthetics) to consider how art – as material culture – has direct and lasting influences on human beings. Contributors explore how art mediates power relations, establishes ideational realms, as well as influencing the routine encounters and engagements of everyday life. Similarly, art – as material culture –has political significance, expressed in varied ways, often tied to the acquisition and circulation of desired objects by the powerful (Helms Citation 1992 ). While art can be displayed or used in rituals to generate consensus (DeMarrais Citation 2011 ), contributors to this collection also explore cases in which the shared act of making art may generate new social ties or reinforce sentiments of solidarity (Fowles and Arterberry Citation 2013 ). Art can innovate, express cosmological themes, engage with a narrative, or re-work elements of an existing cultural tradition. All of these effects are elements of the way art facilitates social action and agency, rather than remaining a passive object of viewership.

In understanding art as action, the question we ask is: What does an (art) object do, and how? The interpretative movement involves recognising that what we call art is a form of material culture intended to have specific social effects. To examine its material and design characteristics is to begin to understand how it worked. In the following section, we consider the implications of an approach to art as action.

To the extent that art grows out of performance and participation, it involves a sequence of gestures that may draw groups of people together. In this way, art may constitute a group of participants, involve them in making it or using it in ritual and other ways. These social activities will frame art for discussion or reaction as well as, in some cases, involve viewing by an audience. These approaches to art are distinct from recent conventions invoking a solitary artist producing work for the museum or gallery wall.

In modern society, art allows people to ‘remake themselves and their worlds, while commenting on their values and beliefs’ (from the World Art website, http://www.tandfonline.com/action/aboutThisJournal?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rwor20 ). Archaeologists, of course, rarely have access to thought processes; however, the range and diversity of art from past societies is, in our view, testament to the importance of this ongoing ‘commentary’ among human beings. The archaeological record contains not only the objects and images (‘art’) of past societies, but also the locations where they were made, displayed, or used. Further insights come from art that decorated buildings, was erected as monuments, or made visible in other settings in which fixed objects or images are found. The scale, visibility, and accessibility of these objects and images are further sources of information about their cultural significance.

In the rest of this essay, we present a range of examples to consider the varied ways in which art makes society. We consider: (1) the ways art can frame a setting; (2) art as participation; (3) art as representational models for social relations; and (4) art as a medium for exclusion or resistance.

Art creates sites of activity

Art establishes settings for action, framing architectural or open air spaces used for gatherings, public events, or collective action. Large-scale or monumental installations, such as memorials, create sites for the re-enactment of shared memories. Visual art can help to create a ritual setting by setting it apart, distinguishing ritual space from quotidian contexts; art may also help to set the scene through references to liturgical narratives. At a more intimate scale, a framed reproduction of an Impressionist painting in a doctor's waiting room can establish an unthreatening atmosphere of middle-of-the-road gentility to comfort anxious patients.

In acts of monumentalisation, people deploy large-scale artworks to create settings in which group memory is established and experienced. Often, as is the case with war memorials, these settings involve rites of commemoration ( Figure 1 ). On other occasions, memories may actually be created or invented through the art, as in the African Burial Ground monument in New York City.

Figure 1.  Ypres, Belgium: memorial arch for British war dead of World War I. The walls are covered with the names of the dead, in a form of textual art; note space for ceremonial assembly within monument. Photo: J. Farr.

Large-scale art framing a ritual setting is visible in Figure 2 , a rock art panel from the American Southwest. These murals were widely distributed and highly visible; this image of San Juan anthropomorphs was pecked into an outcrop in Butler Wash (south-eastern Utah) during the Basketmaker II Period (AD 50–500). It shows a central figure who is ‘life-size’ (about 5 feet tall) flanked by additional figures wearing ritual adornments and headdresses. Rock art panels were often created at open-air sites, near locations used for autumn gatherings for ‘… exchange of marriage partners, trading, gaming … and political maneuvering among shamans’ (Robins and Hays-Gilpin Citation 2000 , 234). Rock art was highly visible and public, created on alcove walls, cliffs or on boulders near water sources. Reuse of some locations is indicated by the crowding of images or superimposition, suggesting ongoing modification (Charles and Cole Citation 2006 , 194).

Figure 2.  Prehistoric rock art panel, Basketmaker II period, AD 50–500, Butler Wash, Utah. Photo: Robert Mark and Evelyn Billo of Rupestrian CyberServices.

‘Decorative’ rather than political or ritual art is far from unknown in the ancient world, as in the famous frescoes and mosaics from Roman Pompeii ( Figure 3 ). While ancient people no doubt took aesthetic pleasure in such settings, we cannot simply regard them as ‘art for art's sake’ in the modern sense; much as in the example of paintings in a doctor's waiting room, the choice of content, style and placement for such imagery – whether theological and mythological, naturalistic or erotic, or geometrical – may have helped create appropriate spaces for particular activities or social relationships.

Figure 3.  Decorative frescos and mosaics in a bedroom from the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor, Pompeii, Italy, first century AD. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rogers Fund, 1903 (03.14.13a-g), photographed by Schecter Lee. Image: © Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Art is participatory

Art often invites participation, creating a focus or medium for relational action (Fowles and Arterberry Citation 2013 ). Adornment of the body through use of masks, costumes, body paintings, or tattoos transforms the body temporarily or permanently, while drawing attention. Figure 4 shows a mask from the Torres Strait. Made from turtleshell, wood, feathers, coconut fibre, resin, shell, and paint, this mask not only demonstrates the skills with which ritual adornments were produced, but also reminds us of the dramatic impressions they likely generated when worn. Masks are quintessentially participatory art; they enrol people into temporary assemblages of people and artifice, or create composite, living moments of altered realities.

Figure 4.  Mask, Torres Strait, nineteenth century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchase, Nelson A. Rockefeller Gift, 1967 (1978.412.1510). Image: © Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Beyond specific events, the wearing of badges, insignia, or regalia in daily life also generates shared identities, marking out individuals as members of groups. Figure 5 shows a pilgrim badge from England, worn to display the pilgrim's active participation in pilgrimage and his or her wider affiliation with Christianity. Such forms of dress not only allowed people to objectify and to categorise themselves; they also enmeshed others in political relations such as colonialism (Loren Citation 2013 ).

Figure 5.  Pilgrim badge, England, fourteenth century. British Museum 1898,0720.1. Image: © The British Museum.

In addition, the making or using of art objects or images may involve multiple participants, who forge bonds of solidarity through shared activities. The making of the art may be as (or more) important as the final product, seen for example in the collective endeavour of sewing a handmade quilt. Handprints attesting presence and participation are among the oldest motifs in human art, occurring in Palaeolithic painted caves. Around the world, rock art often consists of repeated motifs, surprisingly inconspicuous and sometimes ephemeral, which may result from gestures that comprised parts of a performed narrative of some kind. In modern settings, graffiti can attest to a human wish to assert one's presence. Figure 6a shows a monument marking the location where Garibaldi, hero of the Italian Risorgimento , was wounded in a minor skirmish; Figure 6b shows graffiti applied by school children during a visit to the site. The epigraphs, all along the lines of ‘Peppe loves Maria’, convey anything but the patriotic sentiments that the monument is supposed to evoke, but they do attest participation in the spirit of a school trip.

Figure 6a.  Garibaldi monument, Aspromonte, Calabria, Italy: monument. Photo: J. Robb.

Figure 6b.  Garibaldi monument, Aspromonte, Calabria, Italy: school-child graffiti on base of monument. Photo: J. Robb.

In archaeological settings, decorated pottery was often used to distinguish feasts as special events. In northwest Argentina, libation vessels decorated with modelled figures of animals are common in sites of the Regional Developments Period (AD 950–1430). Figure 7 shows a libation bowl; adorned with a feline head at one end, the bowl has an opening on the opposite side to facilitate drinking of its contents. More generally, the sharing of food and drink in ritual settings helps to sustain social ties; in the south Andes, the use of animal depictions probably also referenced shamanic or cult activity.

Figure 7.  Prehispanic libation bowl with feline head, Regional Developments Period, AD 950–1430, northern Calchaquí Valley, Argentina. Photo: E. DeMarrais.

Finally, some art objects require considerable expertise or skill to make but are consumed or destroyed during their intended use. Malanggan objects, mentioned above, are excellent examples since they are implicated in forging memory. Other art objects whose appropriate use involves destruction include Mexican piñatas, elaborately decorated wedding cakes, ritually punctured Mimbres bowls of the American Southwest, and ‘Celtic’ metalwork deposited as votives in rivers and bogs. As a further archaeological example, the earliest clay figurines, made during the Palaeolithic of Central Europe, may have been ‘action art’ intended to explode dramatically when placed in a fire (Farbstein Citation 2013 ).

Art creates representational models for social relations

Art frequently represents social relations. Over time, images are internalised as people absorb cues that guide behaviour and ensure conduct appropriate to a given social setting. Bourdieu's ( Citation 1977 ) insightful analysis of habitus made clear that children and others learn by doing (and by observing others), rather than through direct instruction. Since art objects are often lasting, durable, and visible, they reinforce a vision of ‘the way things are’ that may be difficult to contest. This dynamic encompasses varied aspects of identity and social conduct as prescribed by gender, age, social position, or ritual status. Many images are ideologically loaded, such as the Greek red-figure drinking cup in Figure 8 , which inculcates the privileged position of males, depicted here sharing drink in the ritualised male-only setting of a symposium.

Figure 8.  Greek red-figure cup with scene of male bonding in ritualised drinking at symposium, Vulci, Italy. British Museum 1836,0224.212. Image: © The British Museum.

Even more common is the commissioning of richly detailed and aesthetically pleasing art objects, made from rare materials by skilled artisans, to legitimate the privileged position of elites. Veblen's ( Citation 1899 ) insightful comments about conspicuous consumption resonate particularly well with the crafts produced for elites in many archaic states, including those of coastal Peru before the Incas. Figure 9 shows an image in silver of a ruler seated on a throne, its iconographic theme of hierarchy meshing seamlessly with the use of privileged materials such as rare metals and the virtuosic skill of Chimu artisans.

Figure 9.  Silver ‘throne vessel’ depicting hierarchical group, fifteenth century, Chimu, Peru. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1969 (1978.412.170). Image: © Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Art is also almost always concerned with the wider social group, promoting ideas about the nature of the collectivity through representation (temporary or lasting) or by inviting participation in an event (a rite, a moment of creative activity, or a shared experience of viewing and appreciating) (DeMarrais Citation 2011 ). Figure 10 shows La Venta Offering 4 from pre-Hispanic lowland Mexico, shown here during its excavation, rightly famous for its revealing insight into Olmec social relations and ritual. Like many other works of art from around the world, it represents a moment when people are assembled to create a group, highlighting an idealised collectivity as a model for social participation. Spielmann ( Citation 2013 ) devotes considerable attention to this potential role for art, as part of ritual, in generating cohesion among Hopewell villages and for bolstering the claims of ritual specialists.

Figure 10.  La Venta Offering 4, Mexico, showing a leader conducting a group ritual, Olmec, Formative Period. Photo: John Clark and Pierre Agrinier.

Art as cultural capital

Art also represents cultural capital – concentrated, privileged access to items of value. In this sense, art can be a vocabulary for the shared habitus of members of the same social class, a tangible yet dynamic means for relating or dividing groups. This may often be simply through shared styles or ways of doing things. Farbstein ( Citation 2013 ), for example, shows how small prehistoric communities creatively formulated different artistic representations as part of creating local networks of shared identity.

In class-stratified societies or power-laden colonial relations, art has the capacity to unite, divide, or position people (Bourdieu Citation 1984 ), since not all people are equally able to decode or to appreciate art and since art may be used to encode values privileging dominant groups. Herring ( Citation 2013 ) eloquently traces the ways that Andean art has been appropriated, and misunderstood, in the unfolding discourses of Western Modernist art history. Architectural styles provide a particularly prominent way of asserting cultural capital; in recent European and American history, for example, there have been two architectures of power: the Classical and the Gothic. Both were deliberately revived and reworked to be widely used in public buildings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries ( Figure 11 ), asserting institutional legitimacy by evoking the imagined splendours of a Classical or medieval past.

Figure 11.  Senate House, University of Cambridge (1730): as on many university campuses the Classical columns and façade proclaim the university's role as heir of ancient Greek civilisation, as well as partaking in a more general architectural aesthetic of power. Photo: J. Robb.

Maya art is similarly well-known for evoking a world of privilege and power surrounding elites and their entourages. Evidence increasingly suggests that Maya elites were in some cases also the artisans. Inomata argues that craft production by elites during the Classic Period ‘… was at once a highly political act closely tied to power and an expression of elites ascribing to cultural and aesthetic values’ ( Citation 2007 , 137). He suggests that the willingness of high-status individuals to engage in demanding craft production work is evidence of their commitment to cultural ideals. Figure 12 shows a relief panel depicting a ruler in full regalia. Both the personae represented and the creation, control and use of such objects tied high status people to a world of symbolic capital. Virtually all ancient civilisations, from the Egyptians through the Incas, engaged in a similar materialisation of the cultural capital of their rulers in large-scale or finely-worked art.

Figure 12.  Classic Maya relief with enthroned ruler. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979 (1979.206.1047). Image: © Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Art as a medium of exclusion, resistance, or layered meanings

Art does not simply present and reinforce dominant ideologies or assert social models; it may contain hidden, layered, or contested messages or meanings. Likewise, the knowledge asserted in (or by) an artwork may be contested. For example, Brumfiel ( Citation 1996 ) provides a compelling case that healthy-looking, standing female figurines, produced by local communities in the Aztec hinterland, were intentional forms of alternative art, produced in response to negative depictions of women (often shown dismembered or kneeling in submission) promulgated as part of the Aztec imperial ideology.

Arts of protest and resistance are two manifestations of this phenomenon. Both may be expressed through unsanctioned, counter-authoritarian genres. The graffiti example above seems innocent of political critique, but graffiti and defacement often express political sentiments. The spray can may be an ubiquitous tool for contemporary dissent, and sometimes this contestation of meaning is intentionally foregrounded in art. In a recent article on the BBC website, the artist Antony Gormley described his experience of erecting an early sculpture of a life-size human figure in Londonderry, Northern Ireland in 1987, during the Troubles, a time of often violent political conflict (McCann Citation 2011 ). Intending his work to be ‘a poultice, and a benign piece that related to the feelings of the people in that place and their situation’, he remembers the vigorous attack on the work as it was being placed in the ground. ‘They were throwing stones and sticks and then spitting on the sculpture. The sculpture came over the top dripping with saliva, the missiles kept coming.’ The work was eventually doused in petrol and set alight. Gormley continues, ‘This was excellent. This was the work as poultice throwing violence and evil onto itself that would otherwise be experienced in other ways.’

Moreover, art allows ambiguity, or layers of interpretation, that facilitate multiple understandings, as explored in Robinson's article ( Citation 2013 ) on the significance of graffiti in Barcelona. Ambiguous or multi-layered imagery is common in the European medieval period, for instance, where images may express visual puns. An artist might playfully portray himself (or others) in mythological or Biblical scenes in a manner undetectable to those unfamiliar with his visage, giving the work both public and personal significance. Medieval manuscript illuminations and woodcarvings often show obscene or grotesque imagery in the margins of sacred texts or settings. For instance, underneath a carved church seat from King's Lynn, England, lurk two grylluses ( Figure 13 ), imaginary creatures thought to embody humans’ baser instincts, a suggestion underlined by their ambiguously phallic noses and by their intended proximity to churchgoers’ backsides. Is this the illustration of an obscure theological text? Satire? Permissible playfulness? The answer may have been as ambiguous to medieval people as it remains to us.

Figure 13.  Hidden misericord imagery on the bottom of a carved wooden church seat, King's Lynn, England, fourteenth century. Victoria and Albert Museum W.7-1921. Image: © Victoria and Albert Museum.

We have argued, through examples from past and present, that art is deeply embedded in everyday life as well as integral to special occasions of ritual, political or biographical importance. As one would expect from a profoundly varied phenomenon, no single explanation can encompass the diverse ways that art establishes, sustains, or transforms social relations. Through its making, using, and display, art helps people share underlying understandings of the world, allows individuals and groups to create and express values, to assert social capital, and – finally – art creates venues and media for the performance of identities and social relations. In the collected articles of this issue, contributors illustrate these varied perspectives; the case studies range across world archaeology from Palaeolithic to historic periods.

Elizabeth DeMarrais and John Robb teach archaeology in the Division of Archaeology, University of Cambridge. Working in the Americas and Europe, respectively, they share broad interests in art, material culture, theory and social relations in the past. Two years ago, they established a Material Culture Laboratory to provide a setting for students and researchers interested in theory and material culture to meet and to exchange ideas in an interdisciplinary setting. The current collection of papers was initially presented as part of a symposium entitled ‘Art Makes Society’, organised for the Society for American Archaeology meeting in April 2012, in Memphis, TN, USA.

We are grateful to John Clark and Pierre Agrinier for permission to use Figure 10 , to Johanna Farr for the use of Figure 1 , and to Robert Mark and Evelyn Billo of Rupestrian CyberServices for use of Figure 2 . We thank The British Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Victoria and Albert Museum for use of varied images as noted in the captions, and the two anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful comments. We thank George Lau and Veronica Sekules for their editorial oversight and helpful comments.

• Appadurai , Arjun 1986 . The social life of things . Cambridge : Cambridge University Press .   Google Scholar
• Bourdieu , Pierre. 1977 . Outline of a theory of practice , Cambridge : Cambridge University Press .   Google Scholar
• Bourdieu , Pierre. 1984 . Distinction: A social critique of the judgment of taste , London : Routledge .   Google Scholar
• Brown , Bill. 2001 . Thing theory . Critical Inquiry , 28 : 1 – 22 . doi: 10.1086/449030   Web of Science ® Google Scholar
• Brumfiel , Elizabeth. 1996 . “ Figurines and the Aztec state: Testing the effectiveness of ideological domination ” . In Gender and archaeology , Edited by: Wright , Rita . 143 – 66 . Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press .   Google Scholar
• Charles , Mona and Cole , Sally . 2006 . Chronology and cultural variation in Basketmarker II . Kiva , 72 ( 2 ) : 167 – 216 .   Google Scholar
• Coote , Jeremy. 1992 . “ Marvels of everyday vision ” . In Anthropology, art, and aesthetics , Edited by: Coote , Jeremy and Shelton , Anthony . 245 – 73 . Oxford : Clarendon Press .   Google Scholar
• DeMarrais , Elizabeth. 2011 . Figuring the group . Cambridge Archaeological Journal , 21 : 165 – 86 . doi: 10.1017/S0959774311000229   Web of Science ® Google Scholar
• DeMarrais , Elizabeth. 2013 . Art as an affecting presence: Infant funerary urns in pre-Hispanic northwest Argentina . World Art , 3 : 101 – 119 .   Google Scholar
• Dissanayake , Ellen. 1995 . Homo aestheticus: Where art comes from and why , Seattle : University of Washington Press .   Google Scholar
• Farbstein , Rebecca. 2013 . Making art, making society: The social significance of small-scale innovations and experimentation in Palaeolithic portable art . World Art , 3 : 23 – 39 .   Google Scholar
• Fowles , Severin and Arterberry , Jimmy . 2013 . Gesture and performance in Comanche rock art . World Art , 3 : 67 – 82 .   Google Scholar
• Gell , Alfred. 1992 . “ The technology of enchantment and the enchantment of technology ” . In Anthropology, art and aesthetics , Edited by: Coote , Jeremy and Shelton , Anthony . 40 – 63 . Oxford : Clarendon Press .   Google Scholar
• Gell , Alfred. 1998 . Art and agency: An anthropological theory , Oxford : Clarendon Press .   Google Scholar
• Helms , Mary. 1992 . Ulysses’ sail , Princeton : Princeton University Press .   Google Scholar
• Herring , Adam. 2013 . An archaeology of abstraction: Ollantaytambo . World Art , 3 : 41 – 65 .   Google Scholar
• Inomata , Takeshi . 2007 . “ Knowledge and belief in artistic production by Classic Period Maya elites ” . In Rethinking craft specialization in complex societies: Archaeological analyses of the social meaning of production , Edited by: Hruby , Zachary X. and Flad , Rowan K. 129 – 142 . Arlington , VA : Archeological Papers of the American Anthropological Association, No. 17 .   Google Scholar
• Küchler , Susanne. 1988 . Malanggan: Objects, sacrifice and the production of memory . American Ethnologist , 15 ( 4 ) : 625 – 37 . doi: 10.1525/ae.1988.15.4.02a00020   Web of Science ® Google Scholar
• Layton , Robert. 1991 . The anthropology of art , Cambridge : Cambridge University Press .   Google Scholar
• Loren , Diana DiPaolo. 2013 . The illusion of imperium: Visual and material perspectives of colonial Louisiana . World Art , 3 : 83 – 99 .   Google Scholar
• McCann , Nuala . 2011 . Sculptor Antony Gormley's Derry ‘baptism of fire’ . BBC website news story, June 20. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13829408 (accessed November 2012) .   Google Scholar
• Miller , Daniel 2005 . Materiality . Durham , NC : Duke University Press .   Google Scholar
• Morphy , Howard and Perkins , Morgan . 2006 . “ The anthropology of art: A reflection on its history and contemporary practice ” . In The anthropology of art , Edited by: Morphy , Howard and Perkins , Morgan . 1 – 32 . Oxford : Blackwell .   Google Scholar
• Moxey , Keith. 2008 . Visual studies and the iconic turn . Journal of Visual Culture , 7 : 131 doi: 10.1177/1470412908091934   Web of Science ® Google Scholar
• Myers , Fred. 1991 . Representing culture: The production of discourse(s) for aboriginal acrylic paintings . Cultural Anthropology , 6 ( 10 ) : 26 – 62 . doi: 10.1525/can.1991.6.1.02a00020   Google Scholar
• Marcus , George and Myers , Fred . 1995 . The traffic in culture: Refiguring art and anthropology , Berkeley , CA : University of California Press .   Google Scholar
• Robins , Mick and Hays-Gilpin , Kelley . 2000 . “ The bird in the basket: Gender and social change in Basketmaker iconography ” . In Foundations of Anasazi Culture , Edited by: Reed , Paul F. 231 – 50 . Salt Lake City (UT) : University of Utah Press .   Google Scholar
• Robinson , David W. 2013 . Legitimating space: art and the politics of place . World Art , 3 : 121 – 139 .   Google Scholar
• Spielmann , Katherine A. 2013 . The materiality of spiritual engagement: Art and the end of Ohio Hopewell . World Art , 3 : 141 – 162 .   Google Scholar
• Thomas , Nicholas. 1991 . Entangled objects: Exchange, material culture, and colonialism in the Pacific , Cambridge : Harvard University Press .   Google Scholar
• Tilley , Christopher. 1999 . Metaphor and material culture , Oxford : Blackwell .   Google Scholar
• Tilley , Christopher , Webb Keane , Susanne Küchler , Mike Rowlands , and Patricia Spyer s. 2006 . Handbook of material culture . London : Sage .   Google Scholar
• Veblen , Thorstein. 1899 . The theory of the leisure class , New York : MacMillan .   Google Scholar

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form . For more information, please visit our Permissions help page .

• Back to Top

Related research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations. Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.

• People also read
• Recommended articles

To cite this article:

Download citation, your download is now in progress and you may close this window.

• Choose new content alerts to be informed about new research of interest to you
• Easy remote access to your institution's subscriptions on any device, from any location
• Save your searches and schedule alerts to send you new results
• Export your search results into a .csv file to support your research

Login or register to access this feature

Register now or learn more

--> Read more » -->