Deciphering the meanings of works of art, from any period or style, necessitates first of all an accurate analysis of their formal characteristics. Contrary to the tendency, sometimes natural, to separate between the discussion of forms and that of content, ("style" versus "iconography") the study of art history has shown that form is in fact a highly significant component of any work of art – and one which defines not only the style of the work but in many ways its meanings as well

A central problem of formal analysis however, is that we all see – almost automatically – yet that kind of seeing tends to neglect and ignore important information which is only revealed through a methodical systematical observation and an organized analysis of form.