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ARTWORK ANALYSIS QUESTIONNAIRE:

Fully identify the work that you have selected:


Artist, Title of Work (Italicized), Date, Style/Art Movement, Museum Name, Room
Location

Title of Work: Song of Love/ Le Chant de Amour
Artist: Giorgio de Chirico
Date: 1914
Style/Art Movement: Metaphysical Art
Museum Name: Museum of Modern Art in New York City
Room Location: Painting and Sculpture Floor

Fully describe the works medium? Is this medium typical of the artist and the era? Why
or why not? Were there any innovations made by the artist in regard to the works
medium?

Medium: Oil Paint on Canvas
Describe Formal Technique of Painting:

What genre does the work represent? (landscape, still-life, portraiture, history painting,
genre scene, etc.) Where does this genre rank on the academys hierarchy?

What is the scale of the work? Is this size typical for the era, medium, and the subject
matter?

Provide a complete iconographic analysis of the work as you describe its subject matter.

Provide a complete formal analysis of the work.

How does this work represent its art movement/stylistic category? Consider subject
matter, formal qualities, and socio-historical context.

Is this work following the guidelines of the European art academies? Be thorough in your
explanation and cite specific elements of the work that either represent or rebel against
the main principles of formal artistic training.

Consider the viewing experience of the work. Is the work more powerful viewing it in
person? How does seeing the work in person change your viewing experience? How does
the scale of the work impact the experience?

Describe the paintings frame. Is it appropriate for the subject matter? Does it detract
from the painting?

Thoroughly explain the socio-historical context of the piece. Consider some of
the elements listed below:
What was happening culturally, politically, religiously, etc. to influence the work?
Is the artist confronting a specific issue? If so, explain
Was the piece commissioned? If yes, who commissioned the work and WHY?
(Consider: Did the patron select the subject/medium/style, etc.?) If no, who owns
the work now? Is this the intended owner?
Where was the work displayed/exhibited originally?
Is the works provenance significant?
How was the work received by the public and art critics? What kind of publicity
did the work receive?
Did the artist implement this style or subject matter regularly? What is another
work of art created by the artist that represents this style and/or subject? (Fully
identify the work: Artist, Title of Work (Italicized), Date)

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