A work of art is a creative production whose primary purpose is not to satisfy a functional need (unlike industrial, commercial or technical products) but rather to express the artist’s vision and imagination. An artwork is a physical object, which could be a painting, sculpture, photograph, installation, drawing or another medium. It should possess an aesthetic value and generate emotions that are related to beauty (subjective). Furthermore, it should convey a message and have a liberating dimension for the spectators. It should be unique, namely, not be an imitation or copy of existing objects and should reflect the artist’s technical abilities.
The artistic creation process is a highly subjective and complex one, since it is impossible to know in advance what the finished art piece will look like. An artist’s sensitivity and taste are the keys to its success, and it is not uncommon that the final product deviates significantly from the initial sketches, especially when working in an abstract form. The fact that the artist has a particular sensibility and taste also makes it difficult to classify works of art into clearly defined genres or styles.
Some artists are also known for using unconventional media to create their works, which broadens the scope of what is considered art. Land art, which involves creating works directly in the landscape; performance art which combines the action of an artist with an audience’s presence; and the readymades (such as Marcel Duchamp’s urinal Fountain) are all examples of art that fall outside the traditional categories of painting, sculpting, drawing or photography.
As such, it can be challenging to compare and contrast two artworks unless the assignment specifically calls for this kind of research. However, it is also important to note that an understanding of the style in which a piece was created can help you identify similarities and differences. The RWC handout “Writing about Art: Asking Questions” offers a list of questions that can help you determine how a work fits into its stylistic category.
In order to compare and contrast two artworks, you should start by writing down what each one is about. You should then consider how each piece relates to the topic or theme of your paper, and why you chose to write about it in particular.
Finally, you should consider whether your essay is discussing the historical or cultural context in which a specific art work was created. If so, you will need to do some outside research to find out more about the period in which it was produced and the larger artistic trends that may have influenced it. However, be careful not to overdo this, as some assignments will call for more detailed and in-depth contextual research than others. The most effective way to approach this is to refer back to the prompt or assignment description, which will usually describe the expectation of any necessary research.