Art paper will consist of a one 1-2 (500 words) page written description and formal analysis of a work of art using terminology from Chapters 2-5. This is an exercise in recognizing visual elements and principles of design in works of art and demonstrating an understanding of how they relate to each other to create meaning. Textbook provided
Circle of Diego Quispe Tito. The Virgin of Carmel Saving Souls in Purgatory. Late 17th century. Fig. 1.22, pg. 17.
Midterm Paper Outline
Introduction (First Paragraph)
In the first paragraph, called the introduction, you will include:
An identification of the work of art you selected: The name of the artist, title (which is underlined or italicized every time you use the title in your paper), date, and medium.
Your initial interpretation of the subject based on your initial observations.
Description
Describe how each of the following is used in the piece you selected.
Visual Elements:
- Line: what types of lines do you see in the piece? Provide examples.
- Shape: what types of shapes do you see? Provide examples.
- Mass: How is mass implied?
- Space: How is the illusion of space created in the piece?
- Time and Motion: Are time and motion evident in tis piece? How so?
- Light: How is light used here?
- Color: How does the artist use color?
- Texture: How does the artist create the illusion of texture, or incorporate actual texture
Principles of Design
- Unity and Variety: In what way is this piece unified and how is variety integrated.
- Balance: how is the piece balanced and how does the artist accomplish this.
- Emphasis and Subordination: What is the focal point and how is it emphasized?
- Directional Forces: what leads our attention to the area of emphasis?
- Contrast: Are elements that are strongly different? Consider colors and value also.
- Repetition and Rhythm: What elements repeat in the composition
- Scale and Proportion: Consider the relationships between things and their size
Papers submitted with terms addressed in a random order will be returned for clarification and reorganization and considered late. Additionally, papers submitted analyzing a work not listed in the requirements will also be returned for re-submission and considered late. There are 15 terms; each term is worth 5 points for a total of 75 points. You will receive 1-5 points for each term based on the depth of your response to each term.
Conclusion
After your analysis, has your initial interpretation of the meaning changed? If so, in what way? If not, how has your analysis reinforced your initial interpretation? Review your Introduction and initial observations and share ways in which your impression or interpretation of the work has changed.
