Work analysis: Painting
Objective:
Through structured image analysis, students develop an in-depth understanding of the formal design and content of a work of art. They learn to recognize artistic techniques, interpret symbolism and develop a well-founded interpretation.
Contents and methods:
The worksheet guides learners step by step through the analysis of a selected painting. With the help of key questions and categories, they examine the composition, coloring, lighting, perspective and symbolism of the work. Finally, they formulate an interpretation and reflect on the significance of the artwork in its historical and social context.
Competencies:
- Analytical thinking and understanding of images
- Ability to analyze art in terms of form and content
- Critical reflection and interpretation of works of art
- Research and presentation skills
Target group and level:
From grade 9 onwards
56 other teachers use this template
Target group and level
From grade 9 onwards
Subjects
Work analysis: Painting
Edouard Manets- Frühstück im Grünen Quelle:https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Fr%C3%BChst%C3%BCck_im_Gr%C3%BCnen_(Manet)#:~:text=Das%20Fr%C3%BChst%C3%BCck%20im%20Gr%C3%BCnen%20(franz%C3%B6sisch,Orsay%20in%20Paris%20zu%20besichtigen.
📝 Flash thoughts: Capture everything that strikes you about the picture within one minute.
📝 Fill in the table with the correct details of the painting. If necessary, do some research online.
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Memory box: formal image analysis
🎨 1. Composition and image structure
Arrangement of the image elements: Symmetrical | Asymmetrical | Dynamic | Static
Eye tracking: How is the viewer's gaze guided? (e.g. through lines, colors, light)
Division of space: foreground | middle ground | background
Proportions & Perspectives:
Central perspective | Bird's eye view | Frog's eye view | No spatial depth
🌈 2. Color and color effect
Color choice: Colorful | Monochrome | Warm | Cold
Color contrasts:
Light-dark | Complementary contrasts | Quality and quantity contrasts
Color effect & Symbolism:
Red: Passion, energy, danger
Blue: Calm, depth, cold
Yellow: Warmth, joy, warning
Green: Nature, harmony, poison
Black: Mourning, elegance, threat
White: Purity, innocence, emptiness
💡 3. Light and shadow
Light source(s):
Natural light (sun, moon)
Artificial light (candle, lamp)
Shadow representation:
Hard shadows: Clearly delineated
Soft shadows: Blurred
Plasticity & three-dimensionality: Created by light-dark contrasts
🏞 4. Perspective and spatial representation
Types of perspective:
Central perspective: Vanishing point in the center of the image
Bird's-eye view: View from above - figures appear smaller
Frog's-eye view: View from below - figures appear larger
Isometric: No vanishing points, parallel lines
Spatial representation through:
Size ratios: Foreground larger than background
Overlays: Objects partially obscure each other
Sharpness and blur: Spatial depth
🔷 5. Shape and lines
Shapes:
Geometric: circles, triangles, rectangles - order, stability
Organic: curved, irregular shapes - naturalness, dynamism
Lines:
Horizontal: calm, expanse (e.g. horizon)
Vertical: stability, strength
Diagonal: movement, dynamism
Curved: Liveliness, playfulness
Lines and effect:
Dominant or discreet
Movement and directing the eye
🧩 6. Structure and surface finish
Texture: Smooth | Rough | Soft | Hard (e.g. for material illustrations)
Brushstroke: Visible or invisible brushstrokes
Note for the teacher
Below you will find a completed table and a sample solution for an analysis and interpretation of the work.
Formal image analysis and interpretation Sample example
Édouard Manet's "Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe" (Luncheon on the Grass), created in 1863, is a seminal work in the transition from Realism to Impressionism. The painting is an oil on canvas, measuring 208 cm by 264.5 cm, and is housed in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris. The artwork depicts a provocative picnic scene that juxtaposes clothed and nude figures in a natural setting.
The composition of the painting is both balanced and dynamic, with a clear focus on the foreground figures. The viewer's eye is guided primarily by the central position and direct gaze of the naked woman, who stands out starkly against the darker clothing of the men. The man on the right is gesticulating animatedly, adding a sense of movement that leads the viewer's gaze across the scene. The foreground is occupied by the three main figures and their picnic items, while the background consists of trees and a river, providing depth to the composition.
The color palette of "Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe" is natural and earthy, featuring a mix of greens, browns, and flesh tones. The bright skin of the naked woman contrasts sharply with the darker clothing of the men, emphasizing her presence and drawing the viewer's attention. Manet's use of warm, natural colors evokes the serenity of the outdoors, while the starkness of the nude woman's skin introduces a provocative element that challenges societal norms.
Light in the painting is evenly distributed, illuminating all elements of the scene without harsh shadows. This creates a sense of plasticity and three-dimensionality, particularly in the figures. The light source appears natural, contributing to the overall sense of calmness in the setting. The use of light and shadow helps to create depth and spatiality, with the overlapping of figures and the diminishing size of elements in the background enhancing the sense of space.
Manet employs a linear perspective in "Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe," with the figures in the foreground appearing larger and more detailed. Depth is achieved through size ratios, with foreground elements being larger than those in the background, and sharpness and blur further contributing to spatial depth. The forms in the painting are primarily organic, with the natural shapes of the human figures and the landscape creating a harmonious composition. Lines in the painting are both dynamic and calm, guiding the viewer's eye naturally across the scene.
Texture in the painting is smooth, with visible brushstrokes that add to the overall sense of movement and dynamism. The surface finish is meticulously crafted, contributing to the realism and naturalism of the scene.
The content of "Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe" can be interpreted as a critique of bourgeois morality and societal conventions of the 19th century. The presence of the nude woman among clothed men juxtaposes natural freedom with social constraints. The naked woman symbolizes naturalness and liberty, while the clothed men represent societal norms and restrictions. The painting evokes a sense of calmness intertwined with tension, as the serene natural setting contrasts with the provocative presence of the nude woman. Manet’s challenge to traditional academic art and his depiction of contemporary life reflect his own views on art and society, making "Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe" a pivotal work in the transition to modern art.