Unit Plan 14 (Grade 8 Art): Interpreting Artist Intent

Focus: Analyze subject matter and artistic choices in professional artwork to interpret possible artist intent, considering symbolism, materials, and context.

Grade Level: 8

Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Art Interpretation • Critical Thinking)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students become art interpreters, focusing specifically on what an artwork might reveal about the artist’s intent. Building on their knowledge of symbolism, context, and style, they examine professional artworks and ask: What choices did the artist make, and why? Students look closely at subject matter, composition, materials, and symbolic details, and they weigh different interpretations using evidence from what they see and what they know. They also compare their own interpretations with any available artist statements or titles, noticing where their ideas overlap or differ.

Essential Questions

• What do we mean by artist intent, and how is it different from just describing what we see?
• How can subject matter, symbolism, materials, and composition give us clues about what an artist might be trying to say?
• Why might different viewers have different interpretations of the same artwork, even when thinking about intent?
• How can we use visual evidence and context to support our ideas about artist intent instead of guessing?
• How might understanding artist intent change the way we create and talk about art ourselves?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Define artist intent and distinguish between description, interpretation, and judgment when responding to artwork.
2. Analyze professional artworks by identifying key aspects of subject matter, symbolism, materials, and composition (VA:Re8.8a).
3. Use evidence-based reasoning to propose at least one possible artist intent for a given artwork, supported by specific visual details.
4. Compare multiple interpretations of the same artwork and evaluate which are best supported by evidence.
5. Use brief context information (title, date, short background text, or artist quote) to refine or adjust their interpretation of intent.
6. Produce a short Artist Intent Analysis (written or oral) that clearly explains their interpretation and cites visual and contextual evidence.

Standards Alignment — 8th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)

• VA:Re8.8a — Interpret artwork by considering subject matter, symbolism, materials, and possible intent of the artist.
  • Example: Students analyze how symbolism and material choices communicate theme in contemporary art and defend interpretations with visual evidence.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain what artist intent means and how it is different from just describing an artwork.
• I can point to specific details (subject matter, symbols, materials, composition) that support my interpretation of an artwork.
• I can suggest a possible intent and back it up with evidence from the artwork and context.
• I can listen to other interpretations and explain which ones I think are most convincing and why.
• I can write or speak about an artwork in a way that clearly links what I see to what I think the artist might be trying to say.