Art History

Part A In this first portion of the assignment you are asked to analyze the iconography of the artworks listed below. Defined in the textbook, iconography is an understanding of the subject matter and symbols of an artwork (Stokstad and Cothern, 2016, pg. 6). Based on your understanding of the cultures and time periods you have encountered over the past 4 lessons of textbook readings, analyze the following artworks in terms of their iconography.

1. Adam and Eve, Albrecht Dürer, 1504. Engraving. Located on page 357 of the textbook.

2. The Founding of Tenochtitlan page from the Codex Mendoza, Aztec, 1545 CE. Located on page 411 of the textbook.

3. The Hip Pendant Representing an Iyoba (“Queen Mother”), Nigeria, c. 1550 CE. Located on page 433 of the textbook.

4. Tar Beach, Faith Ringgold, 1988. Acrylic on canvas, and pieced cloth. Located on page 572 of the textbook.

Part B Compare and contrast the function of the above works. Focus your analysis on how each artwork functioned spiritually and/or politically in their original context. Your discussion should include the importance of the artwork at the time of its creation for the viewer at that time. For instance, you could address issues such as, was the artwork used as a visual teaching of a concept, was it used as an historical record to document an event? Compare and contrast the function of the four artworks and distinguish the connections that can be made, pointing out patterns you find.

Conclude your essay with a short discussion on the use of symbols in the 21st century to communicate, applying what you learned regarding the use of symbolic imagery throughout the centuries of art studied in the past 4 weeks. (Think of advertising logos or emojis etc. when considering 21st century examples.)

Grading Rubric

Please refer to the rubric on the next page for the grading criteria for this assignment.

CATEGORYExemplarySatisfactoryUnsatisfactoryUnacceptable

25 Points20 Points15 Points10 Points

Student provides a clear,

logical description of the

artworks and analysis of

the iconography and

symbolic meaning

throughout each of the

four artworks.

Student provides a

mostly clear, logical

description of the

artworks and analyzes

some of the points of

iconography and

symbolic meaning

throughout each of the

four artworks, though

the student may

overlook 1 or 2 key

points.

Student provides some

description of the

artworks and analysis of

the points of

iconography and

symbolic meaning

throughout each of the

four artworks. Student

has overlooked 3-4 key

points.

Student provides a

poor description of the

artworks and/or misses

several key points in

their analysis of the

iconography and

symbolic meaning

throughout each of the

four artworks.

25 Points20 Points15 Points10 Points

Student provides a clear,

logical comparison of the

four artworks referring to

the iconography of the

works and makes

connections between the

four artworks.

Student provides a

mostly clear, logical

comparison of the four

artworks and makes an

attempt to reference

iconography and

connections between

the four artworks.

Student provides a

weak or unclear

comparison of the four

artworks and may not

include clear

iconographic

references.

Student provides a

poor comparison of

four or fewer artworks

and makes no attempt

to include iconographic

references.

25 Points20 Points15 Points10 Points

Student provides a

thorough, logical

conclusion addressing

symbols in the 21st

century and connections

that can be made with

any of the four artworks.

Student provides a

mostly clear and logical

conclusion addressing

some symbols in the 21st

century and connections

that can be made with

any of the four artworks.

Student provides a

weak conclusion and

may not address the use

of symbols in the 21st

century and/or the

connections that can be

made with any of the

four artworks.

Student provides a

poor conclusion on the

use of symbols in the

21st century and/or

fails to make

connections using any

of the four artworks.

10 points 8 points 5 points 2 points

Student does not make

any errors in grammar or

spelling, especially those

that distract the reader

from the content.

Student makes 1-2 errors

in grammar or spelling

that distract the reader

from the content.

Student makes 3-4

errors in grammar or

spelling that distract the

reader from the

content.

Student makes more

than 4 errors in

grammar or spelling

that distract the reader

from the content.

15 points 12 points 8 points 5 points

The paper is written in

proper APA and

organizational format.

Student uses the

textbook and/or lecture

notes as resources. All

quotes and facts are cited

correctly. Excellent

organization, including a

variety of thoughtful

transitions.

The paper is written in

proper format with only

1-2 errors. Student uses

the textbook and/or

lecture notes as

resources. All quotes

and facts are cited

correctly. Adequate

organization includes a

variety of appropriate

transitions.

The paper is written in

proper format with only

3-5 errors. Outside

sources are used for

quotes and facts and are

credible and cited

correctly. Essay is poorly

organized, but may

include a few effective

transitions.

The paper is not

written in proper

format. Many sources

used for quotes and

facts are less than

credible (suspect)

and/or are not cited

correctly. Essay is

disorganized and does

not include effective

transitions.

Format - APA

Format,

Citations,

Organization,

Transitions (15

Points)

Mechanics (10

Points)

Part A: Analysis

of the

Iconography of

the Four

Provided

Artworks (25

Points)

Part B: Compare

and Contrast the

Four Provided

Artworks Using

Iconography to

Make

Connections for

the Art Works (25

Points)

Part B:

Conclusion

Discussing the

use of Symbols in

Our Own Culture

to Represent

Ideas. (25

Points)