Art Analysis Worksheet for City Sunscape by Louise Nevelson

This worksheet provides a step-by-step guide to analyze the artwork City Sunscape by Louise Nevelson. It includes the artist's background, description, composition, interpretation, and more.

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ART ANALYSIS WORKSHEET
Gallery Study: In preparation for your formal analysis, print this worksheet and take it with you
to complete while you study your chosen artwork. You will submit these notes with your final
submission.
Viewing a visual image should be more than just looking and reacting without much thought.
Viewing is an interaction between the viewer and the art object. Although most art works are
constant, the interaction varies with each viewer because of the viewer's own varied perspectives
and associations.
1. Step 1
a) Preparation—have an open mind about artwork. Assume that the artist had something
to communicate.
The artist wanted people to understand the significance of transforming a discarded
object such as wooden in to a beautiful sculpture
b) Label—list the name of the artist, the title of the work, and the gallery visited or the
location of the artwork.
Artist – Louisie Nevelson
Titkle of work – City Sunscape
Gallery visited – Foosaner Art Musuem, Florida Institue of Technology
NOTE: DO THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS IN ORDER. Respond to the following sections in
paragraph form. Use the questions provided (Q) as a guide to provide you with information for
your paragraph.
2. First Impression—record your first spontaneous reaction to the artwork. By the end of
the process, you may understand your first impression better or you may even change your
mind. There are no wrong answers. Unfortunately, this step is where many people stop when
they are looking at artwork.
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Q. What is your immediate reaction to the work?
My immediate reaction to the work was one of awe and inspiration. In order to
design the sculpture Nevelson used tiny pieces of the wood scraps that could be found
near the site of extremely old buildings. The black painting resembled the beginning of
something new and such thought process of the artist left me speechless.
List any words that come to mind.
1. Immense
2. Majestic
3. Creative
4. Inspirational
3. Description
a) Inventory—This stage is like taking inventory. You want to come up with a list of
everything you see in the work. The key here is to stick to the facts. Imagine that you are
describing the artwork to someone over the telephone. This is a long and detailed
section.
Louise Nevelson is known for her expression of abstract art. In most of her work, she utilized
objects of wooden nature gathered from the debris piles in the urban areas. She did this in order
to give some significance to the discarded objects; trying to create something majestic and
meaningful from the debris pile. In order to design the sculpture Nevelson used tiny pieces of the
wood scraps that could be found near the site of extremely old buildings. She nailed these pieces
together and boxed them up in to tiny cubicles to give shape to the sculpture. Nevelson had used
raisin and wooden parts in order to sculpt the beautiful structure of City Sun Scape. The painting
is of the dimension 26 1/82 x 44 7/8 inches and 66.1 x 114 centimeters
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b) Composition—Notice different elements in the artwork. How do the individual parts of
the artwork contribute or distract? Use terms—line, shape, color, value, form.
Nevelson had used raisin and wooden parts in order to sculpt the beautiful structure of City Sun
Scape. She nailed these pieces together and boxed them up in to tiny cubicles to give shape to the
sculpture.
c) Visual Cues—How do the elements interact and conflict? How many colors are used?
Notcie the source and direction of light. What kind of light source is used? How is the
illusion of depth achieved?
The colour ‘black’ used in the piece of art could resonate with the entire air of majesticity
that surrpounded the sculpture. The usage of this one colour made the sculpture that much more
charming. Since I visited the gallery in the day time, the sunlight was the source of light. When it
fell on the sculpture, it revealed the depths to which the artist went to create it. The beautiful
intrications gave a look of elegance to the artwork.
4. Analysis—Try to figure out what the artist has done to achieve certain effects. You should
refer to your first impressions and try to explain how the artwork achieves that reaction.
In order to design the sculpture Nevelson used tiny pieces of the wood scraps that could be found
near the site of extremely old buildings. She nailed these pieces together and boxed them up in to
tiny cubicles to give shape to the sculpture. Nevelson had used raisin and wooden parts in order
to sculpt the beautiful structure of City Sun Scape. The painting is of the dimension 26 1/82 x 44
7/8 inches and 66.1 x 114 centimeters
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Q. How are the elements of art (color, shape, line, texture, space, form, and value) and
the principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement/rhythm, unity, and
variety) used in this artwork?
The element of black signified that how the misery of the people and their sadness can be painted
over in order to give away to the building of something new and glorious. The blackened wood
which was used to sculpt the sculpture has immense significance for the audience. It shows to the
people how the materials discarded by the people can be turned in to something beautiful and
mesmerizing.
Q. What do you notice about the artist’s choice of materials?
The choice of material in the form of wood signifies the desire of the artist to take something as
mundane as wood and transform it in to something beautiful
Q. What grabs your attention in the work?
The first thing that grabbed my attention about the work is the colour black. The element of
black signified that how the misery of the people and their sadness can be painted over in order
to give away to the building of something new and glorious.
Q. What do you think this artist worked particularly at hard while he/she did this work?
Louisie Nevelson tried to give all her attention to the intricate detailing. She also made
the attempt to put the different cubicles in such a manner that they give a picture of utter chaos
when viewed in its entirety.
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Q. Do you see any relationship between the things you listed during the description
stage? Do they work together to communicate specific emotions, principles, symbols, or
meaning?
The elements observed by me in the description stage are the element of wood and the
use of black colour. Together they combine and give an aura of majesticity to the work.
They communicate the emotion of wonder and the principle of hard work and simple
living. They also give the symbol that simple living is the road to create something
elegant and beautiful.
Q. What mood or feeling do you get when you look at this work of art?
I was awe-struck and mesmerized when I saw the piece of art.
5. Interpretation—try to figure out what the artwork is about. Your own perspectives,
associations and experiences meet with “the evidence” found in the work of art. All art
works are about something. Some art works are about color, their subject matter, and
social or cultural issues. Some art works are very accessible—it is relatively easy for the
viewer to understand what the artist was doing. Other works are highly intellectual, and it
might not be as easy for the viewers to readily know what the artist was thinking about.
Q. What is the theme or subject of the work?
According to me the theme of the work was to provide hope to the people. In order to design the
sculpture Nevelson used tiny pieces of the wood scraps that could be found near the site of
extremely old buildings. She nailed these pieces together and boxed them up in to tiny cubicles
to give shape to the sculpture. This signified that a broken piece can be used to build something
elegant.
Q. What is the work about; what do you think it means?
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The work is about chaos and finding balance in such chaotic environment.
Q. Why do you think that artist created this work?
Louise Nevelson did this in order to find a position for herself within a male dominated
world. She wanted to show to the people how hard it is for women to get a place for
themselves, which is represented through the chaotic elements in the art work.
Q. What do you think the artist’s view of the world is?
Nevelson views the world as a beautiful place which is made up of chaotic elements.
6. Background Information—Find out as much about the work and the artist as you can. It
is important to complete this stage after having completed the other 5. Artworks should
provoke thought in the viewer. If you are given the thought or the answer before you
experience the artwork, your own creative thinking might be bypassed and your experience
with the artwork will be lessened. Art galleries and gallery educators are good sources of
information about art and artists.
Louise Nevelson is known for her expression of abstract art. In most of her work, she utilized
objects of wooden nature gathered from the debris piles in the urban areas. The art work on City
Sun scape is one of the wondrous sculpture of Louise Nevelson. In order to design the sculpture
Nevelson used tiny pieces of the wood scraps that could be found near the site of extremely old
buildings. She nailed these pieces together and boxed them up in to tiny cubicles to give shape to
the sculpture. Nevelson had used raisin and wooden parts in order to sculpt the beautiful
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structure of City Sun Scape. The painting is of the dimension 26 1/82 x 44 7/8 inches and 66.1 x
114 centimeters.
7. Informed Judgement—This is a culminating and reflecting activity. You need to come to
some conclusions about the artwork based on all the information you have gathered and on
your interpretations.
Q. Have your thoughts or feelings about the artwork changed since your first impression?
If so, how? What made you change your mind?
No, my thoughts or feelings about the artwork have not changed since my first
impression.
Q. If not, can you now explain your first reaction to the work?
My first reaction after seeing the artwork was that of awe and inspiration. The beautiful
sculpture being held together by small pieces of discarded wood which were blackened,
made it more majestic.
Q. What have you seen or learned from this work that you might apply to your own
artwork or your own thinking?
I have learnt about the value of patience and simplicity. The need is not for expensive
materials and paints, but rather a creative mind which will reflect on the piece of art.
There is a need for intricate and delicate designing on the art work itself which will
showcase my view of the world.
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Descriptive Words to Use in a Formal Analysis of Art
ELEMENTS
Line
blurred
broken
controlled
curved
diagonal
freehand
horizontal
interrupted
geometric
meandering
ruled
short
straight
thick
thin
vertical
wide
Texture
actual
bumpy
corrugated
flat
furry
gooey
leathery
prickly
rough
sandy
shiny
simulated
smooth
soft
sticky
tacky
velvet
wet
Color
bright
calm
clear
Shape/Form
amorphous
biomorphic
closed
distorted
flat
free-form
full of spaces
geometric
heavy
light
linear
massive
nebulous
open
organic
Value
dark
light
medium
Space
ambiguous
deep
flat
negative/
positive
open
shallow
Principles of
Art
balance
contrast
emphasis
harmony
pattern
repetition
rhythm
unity
variety
STYLE OR
PERIOD
abstract
classical
genre
historical
literary
naïve
narrative
nonobjective
primitive
realistic
romantic
Renaissance
Themes in Art
adoration
children
circus
cityscape
earth, air, fire, water
farming festivals
gardens
grief
history
hunting
landscape
love
music
mythology of historic
occasions
portraiture
processions
religion
seascape
storytelling
theater
war
MEDIA
(MATERIALS)
Two-Dimensional
chalk
colored pencil
conte
egg tempera
found materials
gouache
ink
oil
pastel
pencil
photograph
print
tempera
vine charcoal
watercolor
Three-
Dimensional
bronze
clay
fibers
found materials
marble
metal
mixed media
papier-mâché
plaster
stone
wood
TECHNIQUE
architecture
batik
carving
ceramics
collage
crafts
glassblowing
jewelry-making
metalwork
modeling
mosaics
painting
photography
printmaking
repousse
sculpture
weaving
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cool
dull
exciting
garish
grayed
muted
pale
primary
saccharine
secondary
subdued
sweet
warm
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