Answer :
Final answer:
The formal element absorbed first in viewing an artwork is the rendering, analyzed through visual analysis and understanding materials and techniques.
Explanation:
The formal element that a viewer typically absorbs first when viewing an artwork is the rendering. Rendering refers to how the artist represents their subject through techniques such as form, line, color, light, and texture, which all contribute to the overall visual experience of the work.
Art historians use visual analysis to understand the formal elements of art, focusing on form rather than subject matter. This analysis involves describing the visual features of the work and analyzing their effects on the viewer's experience.
By examining the materials and techniques used in creating an artwork, viewers can better understand how these choices impact the artwork's appearance and their own experience of it.
Learn more about art viewing here:
https://brainly.com/question/21327214