Deciphering the meanings of works of art, from any period or style, necessitates first and foremost 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 whereas we all see – almost automatically – 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.

While the traditional discourse has tended to discern only one way of interpretation, the contemporary discourse recognizes the multiplicity of meanings and points of view for interpretation. The constitutive text by Roland Barthes – “the Death of the Auteur”, is highly relevant here. Nonetheless, interpretation must necessarily be anchored in the correct disciplinary tools.

The course is thus dedicated first and foremost to developing the student's skills of observation and formal analysis. Throughout the course we will methodically discuss the central formal components of art works – line, color, pattern, space, composition – in a comparative manner, while examining their influence in diverse works of art from different periods. In addition, subjects such as the influence of techniques and of different materials will be evaluated, as well as issues such as naturalism/realism, mimetic/conceptual art. Another important part of the course will be dedicated to the principles of iconographical analysis – the identification of different images, their visual and textual origins, and a comparison between text and image.