Due: Thu nov 17
Value: 10%
description
Write a 3-5 page double spaced report citing and comparing two examples of historical and/or contemporary figurative drawing or painting. Use your intellect and your drawing experience to make material and conceptual comparisons. Include your name, Museum name, artists’ names and titles of the works.
Guidelines for writing your report
Sketch the works and make your observations. Use the following categories as guidelines for structuring your essay.
Line
Line is an indication of the artists instincts in grasping the contours of the figure. How is line used? Is it organic or geometric? Primitive or refined? Graphic and bold or subtle and unobtrusive? Are their relationships beyond these that apply?
Value
Value adds volume, shape and a sense of depth to the work. Value can be low contrast with many shades of gray and not much black or white. It can also be high contrast with an emphasis on black and white with very few middle values in between. Does the value add to the illusion of depth as in atmospheric perspective? Or does it define pattern and shape?
Proportion
Proportion tells us something about the artist’s understanding of the human form. Are the proportions massive and classical in balance? Are they lyrical with an emphasis on serenity and flow? Or are they romantically distorted in order to emphasize the internal emotion reality?
Historical Context
What is the relationship of each piece of art to the dominant style of the day? What are the characteristics of that style and how closely does the artist follow them?
Conclusion
Be sure to summarize your thoughts at the end of the essay. Proofread and submit your report with your sketches. Please type out your report using a word processor. Hand written assignments will not be accepted.
Helpful Links
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/arthistory.html
This handout discusses different approaches to writing an art history paper.
http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/seabury/art.html
A brief and to the point guide taken from the context of an actual assignment.
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