Art Caption Details

What is the first bit of information about an art piece? What might art historians use when this isn't known?

The artist's name usually comes first. If the individual artist isn't known, art historians will use "School of ..." if the artist may have been a student of "...", or "Circle of ..." if the artist is associated with "...".

What could be the second bit of information about an art piece? Why is this important to note?

Titles are the names given to an artwork by its artist. Descriptions, in contrast, are coined by others for convenience. The former lends insight into an interpretation, while the latter lends insight into how people perceived the piece over time.

What is the third bit of information about an art piece? How can this be shown depending on what we know about the piece? Why is this critically important?

The date follows from the title or description. We can give a specific date if the author or other evidence has given the date; otherwise, we use approximations. The date allows us to interpret the piece relative to historical context & other works.

What is the fourth bit of information about an art piece? Why should this be considered?

The medium is listed after the date alongside with the materials used. Many times, the use of a costly or rare material may be highly significant.

What is the fifth bit of information about an art piece? How can knowing this help with interpretation?

Size comes after the medium. Relative to the viewer, a large artwork may make the view feel insignificant, while a small artwork may invite intimate engagement.

What is the sixth bit of information about an art piece? Why is this important? What must we keep in mind when observing this detail?

The last bit of information is the location of the artwork. City or building locations are central to any interpretation. However, we must distinguish between the current location—potentially a museum—and the actual place of origin.