Art Final Paper

Final Essay: approx. 1000 word 12pt font double spaced (about

three/four pages)

This essay is a formal and subjective analysis of four works of

art that you choose from the slideshows for this class.

To Begin:

Choose four different artworks by different artists. Try to choose

a wide variety of art so as not to rely on the same descriptive

words and phrases. Choosing four similar looking paintings may

feel repetitive.

Consider why you may have chosen these artworks. Examples:

Historical importance, Visually appealing to you, Personal

connection, Challenging, Cultural importance, Social issue, Use

of technology, etc.

Create your main thesis that will link these artworks.

Examples: Do the artworks exemplify the media used in their

creation? Will you explain how the artworks are visually different

but have underlying connections that you will point out? Were

the artworks made in different times but connect conceptually?

Were the artworks made in the same time period but show very

different ideas? Etc.

You may reference your artworks as you elaborate on your

connecting thesis OR you may relate the artworks one-by-one

consecutively. It is recommended that you consider the works

separately and consecutively. Imagine each artwork receiving

approx. 250 words each.

Within your essay:

A bulk of your writing should focus on describing what you see!

Introduce the artwork, the artist, the media. Visually analyse the

artwork in formal terms. This is less about your opinion and

more about what the artist has created. This Formal Analysis

must include terms from the Elements and Principles of Visual

Art. Refer to the Presentations about the Elements and

Principles. A simple analogy is that the Elements are ingredients

for the food and the Principles are the recipe directions. A clear,

well-written formal analysis will contain three things: it will

name the formal elements discussed, it will describe the use of

the formal elements, and it will discuss the effects of that use of

a formal element.

After analysis, examine if you think the artist was successful in

their use of the Elements and Principles as it relates to the

artwork’s subject matter, its function, time-period.

Lastly connect your reasons to your initial main thesis.

Don’t worry about getting all the parts “correct,” art can have

many interpretations. What’s important is introducing your idea,

offering details in a cohesive manner, connecting what you have

learned in class through art specific terminology, and presenting

a conclusion.

In your essay insert a good quality image of each chosen

artwork with the following:

Artist Name, Title, Media, Dimensions, Date Created