600 words writing + 1 page writing

Reading assignment: For the next session (November 26th), read chapter 20, pages 699 to 734.

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Writing assignment: Because there are a wide range of paintings and subjects covered in week’s reading, the writing assignment is a lot more open-ended than many of the others I’ve given.

After doing the reading, pick any single painting from it that interests you for any reason (for example: the way it looks or the painting technique; the concept behind it; the story it tells; the function it served; or any other thing that makes it interesting to you). You can also choose to write about a print if you prefer.

Write the usual half-page to full-page piece, first describing the artwork and why you chose it, and then discussing the most interesting or important facts about it. Discuss the following kinds of things: what’s shown in the image (the story it tells or any symbolism it has; if there is no story or symbolism, then talk about what it shows and why); what it means; who made it and why; whom it was made for (if the book discussed this); and so on. If the piece is groundbreaking or historically important in some way, talk about that too. Without doing any additional research, give me as full and thorough account of the painting as the information in the book allows. You should also discuss how the artwork fits into the style or period in which it was made. (For example, does the artwork show the influence of the new kinds of patrons and/or new economic forces that were emerging in the Dutch countries at the time? What was it about the subject matter or the way it’s painted that would have appealed to a 17th century Dutch art collector?)