Writing About Art

by Henry M. Sayre

This straightforward guide prepares students to describe, interpret, and write about works of art in meaningful and lasting terms. Designed as a supplement to Art History survey and period texts, this efficient book features a step-by-step approach to writing–from choosing a work to write about, to essay organization, to research techniques, to footnote form, to preparing the final essay. For beginners as well as more advanced students.

Genres: Art, Writing, Nonfiction, Art History, College, Textbooks, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Henry M. Sayre is a Distinguished Professor of Art History. He has written several books on his subject.

Sayre was born in Boulder, Colorado in 1948.

Reviews

[Laura (ローラ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this was intended for beginner students of art history, I can't say this was exactly for me. I've been wanting a refresher on how to approach art, think about, and examine art. Though this did give some hints in that area, it was more focussed on the essay writing process... and I would say not so much for the serious student of art history, but more for the student of art appreciation. I would never have gotten away with the ephemeral approach of writing an essay purely on observation and feelings. If you're a new student take this guide with a grain of salt. Every professor you have will expect a different approach to art writing, down to the fine points of how to make references. It's almost always better to start by asking your professors what their expectations are.

[Navy heart HamlinNBCT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry Sayre wrote " I heard a lot of excuses for poorly written essays , but it wasn't until I began teaching art"......... In the geo-search for communication with a choice perhaps to change , he evolved into understanding that belief that "artists don't talk" was simply a myth; And that moment coincided with studying Jackson Pollock. -An abstract artist who lures us into discussion. A life long muse and inspiration from text to art intro, and art to text conversations, research and reflections led personally to meaningfully working with visual information, design and celebrations of Art, and rereadings of Sayre. One particular chapter, using Visual Information, was the turning point in my repertoire of educational texts and a way of seeing from another's perspective. What is the language of Art? The story behind an image might ignite a conversation, a marriage, a lasting monument, or at the very least an appreciation.

Sayre is rich with insight and evolutions but my favorite is The birth of Athena ,three Goddesses, a remarkable slice of historical preservation which inspired my first dalliance with becoming more-His impressions speak of metacognitive transformations-Inspired a later in life self-exploration and a personal choice. This notion that art is dynamic, rather than static , active rather than passive is " A Pollockian theory worth noting. SAHNBCT2018

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and concise book for beginning art history students. Doesn't contain exercises, but does include sample essays and extracts. Its focus is on formal analysis, and to my mind, this is a weakness, but what it explains is done so with clarity, and with no more detail or diversion than absolutely necessary. It's a moderately dull, but short read, and could be a helpful resource in an undergraduate art history context.