What is the difference between interpretive criticism and evaluative criticism?

In the field of aesthetics, philosophers and critics distinguish between two primary modes of critical discussion: interpretive and evaluative.12

Interpretive Criticism

Interpretive criticism focuses on the study and understanding of the aesthetic object itself. The goal is to articulate the meaning, import, or expressive content of a work of art. This approach often involves analyzing the work's formal features, genre, and emotional qualities to enhance a viewer's understanding or appreciation. Modern interpretive criticism frequently utilizes theoretical perspectives—such as Marxism or feminism—to establish a work's significance within art history and its broader social context.1234

Evaluative Criticism

Evaluative criticism is concerned with assigning merit to a work of art. It involves providing reasons to justify why a work is considered "good" or "bad," or why it is superior or inferior to another. This mode of criticism relies on the exercise of taste, which functions as a faculty of perception used to discern aesthetic value. Evaluative critics often seek to place works in relation to one another, using established canons or "touchstones" as a frame of reference to measure quality, intensity, and seriousness.12