ART 1301
Art Appreciation
Art in Context Essay:
In this paper you will dig deep into a piece of artwork from history. Begin by choosing a piece of artwork from a specific culture or time period mentioned in any section of chapter three of our textbook, Gateways to Art. Conduct a formal visual analysis of the artwork wherein you analyze the artwork based on the elements and principles of art and design. Then broaden the scope of your analysis to include background information about the culture from which the artwork originates. Finally, connect your chosen artwork to one or more of the themes of art discussed in chapter four of Gateways to Art.
Final Paper Due: Wednesday May 1st.
This paper is worth 20% of your final grade
Here is the detailed assignment:
Choose a geographical area and time period from class that interests you and select one piece of artwork from that time period and location to write about. I suggest going through chapter three of our textbook and selecting one of the artworks mentioned within.
This paper requires a clear thesis statement that ties your paper together. Your thesis is the main point of the paper, and should briefly address all three parts of the essay. A sample thesis could be as follows: The Standard of Ur from Ancient Sumer depicts themes of both warfare and community through the use of hierarchical scale, rhythm and contrast.
In addition to an introductory paragraph including the label information for your artwork and your thesis statement, this paper will have three parts. They are as follows:
Part 1: Formal Visual Analysis
• Conduct a formal visual analysis using the Elements and Principles that are listed below, refer to the lectures and your notes from the first half of the semester to help develop this. This analysis is a clear visual description, and should be the starting point of your paper, imagine I don’t have the opportunity to the see the works you are writing about, your formal visual analysis should tell me exactly what the work looks like.
Elements: Principles:
Like ingredients how elements are used
Color Contrast
Form Emphasis
Line Focal Point
Mass Pattern
Shape Proportion
Space Rhythm
Texture Scale
Time and Motion Balance
Value Unity
Volume Variety
• Remember that in this section you do not need to speculate about what the artwork is about, or why it was made.
• Above all, be specific! If you mention that the artwork uses the element of color, explain what colors are used and HOW. Does the color create a focal point? Does the color scheme promote unity or variety? Write my Essay Online Writing Service with Professional Essay Writers – Explain!
• Whenever possible, use class vocabulary.
Part 2: Contextual Analysis
“Contextual analysis looks at the making and viewing of the work in its context: it studies the atmosphere and ideas, often from a particular time or culture, which the artwork itself includes and reflects. Various aspects of context can be considered; for example religious, historical and biographical analysis are all types of contextual analysis” (DeWitte, Debra J., Larmann, Ralph M., Shields, M. Kathryn, 2015, pg. 176)
• Read about the culture from which your chosen artwork originates in our textbook and online on Khan Academy. You may use other sources as well, as long as they are credible sources and you cite them in your paper
• How does this new information affect your view of the artwork? Does more information about the culture, religion, geography, or time period change the meaning of the artwork in some way? How?
Part 3: Connect to Themes in Visual Art
• Finally, review the themes of visual art discussed in chapter 4 of Gateways to Art. Where does your artwork fit within those themes? Do multiple themes apply? Write my Essay Online Writing Service with Professional Essay Writers – Explain which themes you think your artwork relates to and how the culture, materials, and visual elements and principles support that theme.
The themes in visual art listed in our textbook are:
o Art and Community
o Spirituality and Art
o Art and the Cycle of Life
o Art and Science
o Art, Illusion, and Transformation
o Art of Political Leaders and Rulers
o Art, War, and Revolution
o Art of Protest and Social Conscience
o The Body in Art
o Identity, Race, and Gender in Art
Guidelines
1. Length requirement is 1000 words, or approximately 2-3 pages. This must be double-spaced, 12-point, Times New Roman font in MS Word format only.
2. You must include a photo of the artwork you write about. You must also include the label information for the artwork along with the photo. Include Title of the Artist’s name (if known), Name of culture/tribe, Place of origin of artist or object, Year produced, and the Medium (materials).
3. You are only required to use the class textbook for this assignment, but you are welcome to also include research information from Khan Academy or other online or print soures.
4. Complete & proper citations must be used where references are required. Use APA format.
5. Late submissions must be approved 48 hours prior to the due date and time. Otherwise late submissions will be reduced by 10 points, or a full letter grade, for each week the paper is late.
A Note about Editing
I am happy to help you with this essay if you give me a draft well in advance of the due date. I cannot commit to editing your paper the night before it is due! Additionally, I highly recommend that you bring your essay to a writing tutor, or at the very least be sure to carefully proof read and read your paper out loud to catch grammar mistakes before submitting!
Assessment
You will receive up to 100 points for this assignment. You will be graded on the following criteria:
Research Topics – Criteria %
The essay includes a detailed visual analysis of the artwork with correct use of class vocabulary and the elements and principles of art. 25%
The essay includes research about the culture from which the artwork originates and relates the meaning, material, and purpose of the artwork to the culture. 25%
The artwork in the essay is discussed in relation to one or more of the themes in visual art, and those themes are supported by evidence based on cultural research. 25%
Report is well-written, with proper spelling, grammar, and citations 15%
Report includes required photo and label information. 5%
Report meets 1000-word minimum requirement. 5%
TOTAL 100%
Works cited page
Textbook:
Last, F. M. (Year Published) Book. City, State: Publisher.
Our textbook: DeWitte, Debra J., Larmann, Ralph M., Shields, M. Kathryn (2015) Gateways to Art: Understanding the Visual Arts. New York: Thames & Hudson.
In-text citations
Textbook:
This object reflects the Japanese culture’s interest in nature and Shinto philosophy because of the emphasis on natural forms such as the leaves surrounding the tiger (DeWitte, Debra J., Larmann, Ralph M., Shields, M. Kathryn, 2015).
