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Art Analysis - Museum Paper

You are required to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. I want you to see actual works of art, study it and make observations about the work in person.  No picture or digital image can compare to  the actual experience of real art. Your assignment is to visit the museum and to analyze a work of art.  

To analyze a work of art is to break it down into small components which ultimately gives us a more in depth understanding which ultimately leads to deeper appreciation of the work. You have studied the formal elements of art and principles of designs in chapters 1.1-1.9 and have seen examples in the textbook.  This assignment demonstrates your understanding of how these qualities contribute to the being of the painting by using specific examples from the painting. Choose from the following paintings in the museum, spend time with the work, ask yourself questions and take notes while you are there to help you write a formal analysis of one of the works below.

1. The Rocks, 1888, Vincent Van Gogh
2. Fight for the Waterhole, 1903, Frederic Remington
3. The Turning Road, L'Estaque, 1906,  Andre Derain

This essay is about creating a written description of a painting and commenting on all the applicable elements and principles of design.

• Formal Elements: line, space, light and color, texture, pattern, time and motion
• Principles of Design: contrast, balance, emphasis and focal point, scale and proportion, repetition and rhythm, unity and variety

The paper should be proofed for spelling and grammar usage. The essay will be about 1000 words minimum to address all aspects of the qualities shown in the painting.

Please write in your own words.  Do not plagiarize. Plagiarism means using someone else’s ideas or words and as your own ideas or writing without giving proper credit by documenting sources. You will receive zero (0) points for your paper.

Evaluation of the paper:

1. 20 points formal description, content, and the historical context. (see above about plagiarism)
2. 60 points formal elements and principles of designs
3. 10 points syntax (points deducted for errors in spelling and grammatical structure (proof your paper before you submit)
4. 10 points following instructions and guidelines below (points deducted if not correct)

Guidelines:

• Locate the selected painting. Papers on other paintings will not be accepted. You must include the title of the work, the artist's name, and the location of the work (which gallery and section of museum)
• 1000 words minimum. Use standard 12-point font, double-spacing, with 1” margins
• Include specific examples from the painting in your discussion. Comment on all the applicable elements and principles of design;
• Save your document in this format:  Last Name, First Name Title of work.  Upload and attach your paper as a word.doc or word.docx.   Points will be deducted if you have it in a different format!
• Proof of visit: Along with a sticker, you will be able to get an admission ticket for the visit.  If you go on a Thursday when it is free to the public, you can still get a receipt for the proof of the date when you visited. Just ask and explain.  Please submit them as an "insert" of your paper or separately as a "jpeg attachment." Paper will not be graded without proof of attendance.
  

Visit the Learning Center in Academic Building Room 200 or select link for information regarding NH’s tutoring services http://www.lonestar.edu/tutoring-nharris.htm