What is the process of determining the overall meaning of an artwork by forming a hypothesis about what the artist is trying to convey, preceding judgement?

• A. Description
• B. Interpretation
• C. Evaluation
• D. Analysis

Answer: (B)

Interpreting an artwork focuses on meaning: you form a hypothesis about what the artist is trying to convey and consider that meaning before making judgments about quality. This involves looking beyond what is literally visible to ask what message, idea, or emotion the artist intends to express. It’s about reading the piece for its communicative intent and plausible interpretations, rather than simply describing what you see or evaluating how well it achieves a certain effect. For example, you might notice somber tones and solitary figures and hypothesize themes like isolation or resilience, using those clues to propose a plausible message the artist aimed to share. Description would just name what’s present, analysis would examine how elements work together to create effects, and evaluation would judge the artwork’s value or success.