Art History Essay For"exceptional Proff"

VISUAL ANALYSIS PAPER

Once having selected the painting (select one), pay close attention to stylistic features (i.e., composition, color, use of light/shadow, perspective, figures, pose, gestures, et al). Describe the object and compare/contrast it to pieces we have studied in class, whether in the PowerPoint lectures or in the textbook. When selecting objects to compare the museum piece to, be discerning. That is, try to find objects that share more characteristics than not. The aim of this assignment is for students to develop an eye for style and to locate the subtle differences that distinguish one technique or tendency from another.

Organize the paper, which should be five to seven (5-7) pages in length, into an introductory paragraph, body, and conclusion. The introduction may include some general information (e.g., historical, economic, cultural) about the object's specific time period, the technique utilized to create the object, etc. More importantly, the introduction should include a thesis statement about the object's overall aesthetic. Then organize the body in a logical, analytic fashion, and conclude the paper with some remarks about the significance of the object -- that is, how it fits into a larger Renaissance to Rococo art historical framework.

Remember, this is NOT a research paper; however, if you quote a source (e.g., a placard or web site from the museum), be sure to cite it.

Please pick one painting below:

Vanni's "Madonna and Child Enthroned" (1343)

di Credi's "Madonna and Child" (c. 1500)

Fungai's "Madonna and Child with Saints and Angels" (c. 1510-15)

Garofalo's "Madonna and Child in Glory" (c. 1535)

Dossi's "The Flight into Egypt" (c. 1520-30)

Marconi's "Christ and the Adultress" (c. 1525)

Unknown artist's "The Holy Family with the Infant Saint John the Baptist" (c. 1540-50)

El Greco's "Christ Carrying the Cross" (c. 1575-1600)

El Greco's "Feast in the House of Simon" (c. 1575-1600)