Evaluation is the ability to judge the overall value of an artwork. The task of evaluating a work of art, for example, a painting or a sculpture, requires a combination of both objective information and subjective opinion.

While evaluation begins with describing the work in detail, analyzing the piece by describing how it is organized based on the elements of art and principles of design and judging it by describing specific areas that are captivating; evaluating is the level of understanding the work beyond analysis and synthesis.

Fundamentally, intelligent evaluation or judgment is based upon a definitive criterion which can be internal (intuitive and personal) or external (relevant to the purpose) and the viewer or student may determine the criteria or be given them.