Describing an artwork

Objectives

Describe a work of art that you really like. Tell:

▪ What it looks like

▪ Where you first saw it
▪ Why you like it

Adjectives to describe a work of art

abstract Not representing people or things in a realistic way, but expressing the
artist’s ideas about them

striking Very attractive, often in an unusual way

vivid/vibrant (of light, colours, etc.) very bright

fantastical Strange and showing a lot of imagination

realistic Describing a style of art or writing that shows people, things and
experiences as they really are
Ex: The portrait is so realistic that it looks almost like a photo rather than
a painting

awe-inspiring Impressive; making you feel respect and admiration

Ex: The building was awe-inspiring in size and design.
Nouns to describe a work of art

subject matter/theme The ideas or information contained in a book, speech, painting, etc.

mood/atmosphere The feeling expressed by a piece of art

Ex: With its dull colors, the painting exudes a gloomy atmosphere

background The part of a picture, photograph or view behind the main objects,
people, etc.
Ex: a photograph with trees in the background

masterpiece a work of art such as a painting, film/movie, book, etc. that is an

excellent, or the best, example of the artist’s work.
Ex: Monal Lisa is the most famous masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci

inspiration The process that takes place when somebody sees or hears something
that causes them to have exciting new ideas or makes them want to
create something, especially in art, music or literature.
Ex: The painter drew his inspiration from the countryside.

Sample 1
My favorite piece of art or my favorite painting is very playful, and it’s one that I saw at the Musee
D’Orsay in Paris. Paris is a very artistic city, so there is lots of paintings I could talk about, but I
will just stick to this one. I am not sure what it’s called or even who painted it but it’s probably a
few hundred years old. The painting shows a knight, wearing very shiny silver armor and
standing in the middle of a meadow, and he is surrounded by a group of beautiful women. I think
they are meant to be magical fairies or sprites or something like that. Anyway, the women are
looking at the knight as if they are not sure what to make of him. The painting is very colorful as
all the women are covered in flowers and the grass of the meadow is bright vivid green and the
knight’s armor reflects all these colors. Everything about the image is very fantastical and
surreal and dreamlike, in fact, you get the idea that the knight might have died and gone to
heaven. In any case, I like the painting because of its fanciful mood and interesting colors.
So…that is that
Useful Verbs

convey Express

depict To show an image of somebody/something in a picture

Ex: to show an image of somebody/something in a picture

be struck by sth/sb To be impressed or interested by somebody/something

Ex: I was struck by her youth and enthusiasm.

exhibit To show something in a public place for people to enjoy or to give them
information

Sample 2
Ok, so, I’ll tell you about a painting I saw several years ago when I was living in Ecuador. It’s a
painting that I’ll never forget, because it was so different from anything I’d ever seen before. The
painting was done by an Ecuadorian painter named Oswaldo Guayasamin, and I guess it’s a
modern painting because it was done in the 60s or 70s? I am not exactly sure. Anyway, my
friends and I went to the Guayasamin museum in Ecuador, and we really enjoyed his paintings.
He has this incredibly unique style. It is a little bit abstract, but he still conveys a lot of emotion
with his art. Many of his paintings have a sad and lonely feeling to them. Anyway, as I walked
around the museum, I was particularly struck by a painting called “The Pentagon.” It is five
paintings and all of them are very evil-looking men. The colors are very dark and grey, and you
get a frightened feeling when you look at it. I also think that, because of the title, this painting
makes you think about the Pentagon in America, and you can imagine these evil guys making
plans for war. They look greedy and corrupt. So, I guess I wouldn’t say that it’s a beautiful work
of art, but I like this painting because it’s really striking and it makes me think.