Staris week 3 proposal

starisweek3artproposal.docx

For your final paper you will research and analyze a work of art using formal and sociocultural methods of analysis. This week, you will select the work of art you would like to use.

First, complete the following steps:

1. Review the requirements for the Final Paper including the assignment instructions and the Guide: Writing an Art History Research Paper

2. After exploring the art museums on Google Arts and Culture, identify a work of art that catches your eye and that you would like to learn more about during this course. Your selection should be a painting, print, photograph, or sculpture.

3. Explore the resource at the Trefry Library to ensure you can find scholarly information about the work of art you selected. You might find it helpful to explore the Art and Film Research Guide. If you need help, remember you can use the “Ask a Librarian” chat the top of the library’s webpage. If you are unable to find scholarly information about the work of art you selected, you may need to choose a different work to investigate.

Then, you should write and submit a paper proposal that includes the following:

1. A full identification of the work of art you will use as your final paper. This should include the artist, title, date, medium, and collection where the work of art is displayed. Include an image and a link to the work of art.

2. A detailed description of the work of art. Remember to incorporate key terms and vocabulary discussed in the course. Focus on how the artist uses the elements of composition and principles of design. (Imagine describing the work to someone who cannot see it) This should be at least 2/3 a page (250+ words).

3. Three scholarly resources that you can use to learn more about your work of art. Cite your sources in APA, MLA, or other university accepted format. You might use the Trefry Library’s Citation Hub for help citing your sources. Note, ALL resources must be "traceable" by having a functional URL. The instructor must be able to click the URL and go directly to the resource. NOTE, fake resources will be seen as plagiarism. If you use AI to do research, double-checking the veracity of the reference is on you.

Final paper instructions

For this paper, you will combine the lessons in this course to analyze a work of art using formal and sociocultural methods of analysis. You will look at a work of art and carefully describe the use of the elements of composition and principles of design. Then, you will research the work of art and discuss how the work of art was interpreted by the original audience.

1. Step 1: Week 3 - Paper Proposal: After visiting the art museums on Google Arts and Culture, identify a work of art that catches your eye and that you would like to learn more about during this course. Your selection should be a painting, print, photograph, or sculpture. Record the identification information for the work you select (artist, title, date, medium, and museum collection).

2. Step 2: Week 5 - Annotated Bibliography: Explore the resources at the Trefry Library to ensure you can find scholarly information about the work of art you selected. You might find it helpful to use the Art and Film Research Guide. If you need help, remember you can use the “Ask a Librarian” chat the top of the library’s webpage.

3. Step 3: Week 7 - Final Paper: You will write a formal essay that includes the following:

I. Introduction: this paragraph should identify the work of art you will analyze, introduce the purpose of your paper and include a thesis statement that presents the major point (argument) of your paper.

II. Formal/Visual Analysis: this section should incorporate the elements of composition and principles of design as you describe a work of art for your reader. Aim to discuss the work of art as though you are trying to paint a mental picture of the work.

III. Sociocultural Analysis: this section should consider how the work of art reflects the time period in which it was created.

IV. Conclusion: this paragraph should restate your thesis and be a summary of the major points you made in your paper.

V. Works Consulted and Works Cited: cite the resources you used to help you develop your ideas. You might use the Trefry Library’s Citation Hub [Web Page] for help citing your sources.

GuidetoArtHistoryResearchPaper.pdf

Guide: Writing an Art History Research Paper (Tips developed with the help of Google AI)

Step 1: Initial observation and description Before you begin your research, perform a close observation of the artwork itself without preconceptions. • Gather basic information: Note the artist's name (if known), the title of the work, the date

it was created, the medium (e.g., oil on canvas, bronze sculpture), and its dimensions. • Describe what you see: Go beyond a simple summary and write down specific,

objective observations. What is the subject matter? What colors, shapes, lines, and textures are used? How is the composition arranged? What is the overall mood or atmosphere?

• Analyze formal elements: Consider how the artist's technique and use of design principles, such as contrast, balance, and rhythm, contribute to the work's overall effect.

Step 2: Sociocultural research Research the environment surrounding the artwork's creation to understand its deeper meaning. • Historical context: Investigate the specific time period in which the art was made. What

major historical events, political movements, or wars were occurring? Look for how these events might have influenced the artwork.

• Cultural context: Explore the culture from which the artwork emerged. Research the prevailing cultural beliefs, customs, and artistic traditions. Are there any symbols, myths, or religious references in the work that would have been recognizable to its original audience?

• Social and economic context: Look at the social issues of the time. What was the social structure like? What were the roles of different social classes, genders, or races? Consider who the art was created for and who was typically its audience.

• Artist's background: Learn about the artist's life, influences, training, and intentions. An artist's personal experiences, values, and other works can provide valuable insight into a specific piece.

• Reception history: Investigate how the artwork was received by critics and the public at the time of its creation and how its reception has evolved over time.

Step 3: Interpretive analysis Synthesize your observations and research to construct a thoughtful analysis. • Develop a thesis: Formulate a central argument about how the artwork and its

sociocultural context are connected. For instance, your thesis could argue that the piece

"challenges the patriarchal norms of its era by subverting traditional depictions of female beauty".

• Connect form and context: Explain how the formal elements you observed in Step 1 support your sociocultural interpretation. For example, you might argue that the artist's use of muted colors creates a somber mood that reflects the anxieties of the time.

• Explain symbolism: Based on your cultural research, interpret any symbols or iconography within the artwork. Explain what these symbols represent within their cultural system and how they contribute to the work's overall message.

• Consider the artist's choices: Analyze why the artist made specific choices, such as their medium, subject matter, or style, in relation to their social world. What message were they trying to convey? Were they attempting to make a political, economic, or social comment?

Step 4: Structuring your essay Organize your analysis into a coherent essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. • Introduction: Introduce the artwork with its key details and present your thesis

statement. This sets the stage for your argument. • Body paragraphs: Dedicate separate paragraphs to your main points, with each point

supported by evidence from both your formal analysis and contextual research. Use transition sentences to ensure a logical flow.

• Conclusion: Summarize your findings and re-emphasize your thesis in a new way. Discuss the work's overall impact and significance within its original context and in the present day.

Step 1: Initial observation and description
Step 2: Sociocultural research
Step 3: Interpretive analysis
Step 4: Structuring your essay