Art Assignment

Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English spelling and grammar.  Sources must be cited in APA format.  Your response should be four (4) pages in length; refer to the "Assignment Format" page for specific format requirements.

Part A Briefly define art history as an academic field based on your understanding of the readings in the textbook Introduction. Next, discuss two of the natural and human threats to artworks that concern contemporary art historians. Provide specific examples of threats, the artworks involved, and how these threats affect the interpretation of the works by art historians. Your discussion should be based on the information in the textbook Introduction and throughout the textbook and lecture readings of the first four (4) lessons.

Part B Explain the construction of megalithic architecture and dome building, tracing its history from pre-historic art to the Renaissance. Begin your discussion describing the architectural innovations of the tomb in Newgrange, Ireland and connect these innovations with subsequent examples of the tholos tombs in Greece, to the Pantheon in Rome and conclude with the Florence Cathedral. Your discussion should include a definition of terms you use as defined in the textbook readings and demonstrate an understanding of the connections these buildings have in common.

Works of architecture to include in your Part B discussion:

1. Tomb, Newgrange, Ireland. c. 3000-2500 BCE. Located on page 29 in the textbook.

2. Interior of tholos tomb, Mycenae, Greece. c. 1300-1200 BCE. Located on page 100 in the textbook.

3. Pantheon, Rome. 110-128 CE. Located on page 148 and 149 in the textbook.

4. Filippo Brunelleschi, Dome of Florence Cathedral. 1420-1436 CE. Located on page 307 of the textbook.