Extra Credit: Visual Culture (Optional Extra Credit) 10%
CHOOSE ONLY 1 OF THE IMAGES (BELOW THE EXAMPLE) TO DISCUSS.
Explain how ONE of the images/artworks agrees with ORrepels against a particular cultural OR political ideological viewpoint (includes issues of identity, race, & gender) (#1 Essay–500-word minimum), and how the artwork might be decoded in diverse ways by two very different groups or sections of society (#2 + #3 Essays–250 words minimum for each decode). Be creative, and find very diverse, specific and not obvious groups on which to focus your analysis. Children may not be used to decode. 1000 words minimum total for the paper.
For Example (in brief):
Jean Alphonse Roehn – Portrait of an Artist Painting Her Self Portrait, 1799
1. Explanation Essay:This artwork repels/pushes against the cultural ideology of its day, which provides that men are the primary artists; Women artists can provide a unique perspective; Self worth takes a leap forward for women as increases in agency provide new opportunities for women…continued (500+ min WC.)
2.Decode #1: House servants might see the artist as frivolous, choosing to paint her own picture rather than doing something more constructive for the home and society; This painting would serve as a constant reminder of the disparity between the classes; The servant will now have to learn new cleaning techniques for removing paint from objects, clothing, and floors, making the job much more difficult….continued. (250+ min WC)
3.Decode #2: An art supply salesperson might decode this as an opportunity to make more money. Women are traditionally considered less educated and thus easily duped or led. Not only will the merchant gain extra funds,but also in selling to the wealthy women, he would be in the position to meet more influential male citizens. They in turn will expand his business further through their contact with royalty…continued. (250+ min WC)
Do no research. You should, however, refer to your course text and the Reading Visual Culture Power Point; as well as any other pertinent documents on your Canvas site, like the What is Culture Power Point, Ideology Renaissance & Baroque, and Romantic View of Nature, just to name a few. Show me that you can use your course resources. Pay attention to the date and country of the painting choices, and the artist, then look in your course text for information about the time and place to help you with your explanation and decodes. Include a mini version of your painting choice before your essay. Add word counts after each paragraph section.
Due before end of day on Canvas Sunday April 24. This Extra Credit will be awarded up to 10%.
See your painting choices on the following pages.
Francois Boucher, La Toilette, 1742. A young woman and her maid. France
Style Hint: Rococo (and perhaps Visual Satire)
Decode Hints: An Asian artifact salesman, a Clergyman, a chimney sweep—be creative there are many more groups of people that might decode this work of art. Think of this painting hanging in a wealthy home where only certain people might decode it, or in a museum where many other types of people would see it and decode it. Remember that decoding means that the viewer is bringing their own history and perspective to the decode in order to make meaning of it. Look in your course text to get some more creative ideas but make them real (plausible).You may use one of these hints and must have strong support for the decode. Or find your own creative decode group and really impress me!
USE ONLY CULTURAL OR POLITICAL IDEOLOGY.Explain how the image/artwork agrees with OR repels against a particular cultural OR political ideological viewpoint (includes issues of identity, race, & gender).
Expand the image to see small details that you may want to use in support of your essay.
Benjamin West, Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky, c. 1816 America
Style Hint: Romanticism (and Neoclassicism)
Decode Hints: A scientist, a Clergyman, a Greek god—be creative there are many more groups of people that might decode this work of art. Think of this painting hanging in a wealthy or middle class home where only certain people might decode it, or in a museum where many other types of people would see it and decode it. Remember that decoding means that the viewer is bringing their own history and perspective to the decode in order to make meaning of it. Look in your course text to get some more creative ideas but make them real (plausible). You may use one of these hints and must have strong support for the decode. Or find your own creative decode group and really impress me!
USE ONLY CULTURAL OR POLITICAL IDEOLOGY.Explain how the image/artwork agrees with OR repels against a particular cultural OR political ideological viewpoint (includes issues of identity, race, & gender).
Expand the image to see small details that you may want to use in support of your essay.
Unknown, Untitled (American Family Life) 18th CenturyAmerica
Style Hint: Genre Painting (and History Painting)
Decode Hints: A new immigrant, a Clergyman, an American soldier—be creative there are many more groups of people that might decode this work of art. Think of this painting hanging in a wealthy or middle class home where only certain people might decode it, or in a museum where many other types of people would see it and decode it. Remember that decoding means that the viewer is bringing their own history and perspective to the decode in order to make meaning of it. Look in your course text to get some more creative ideas but make them real (plausible). You may use one of these hints and must have strong support for the decode. Or find your own creative decode group and really impress me!
USE ONLY CULTURAL OR POLITICAL IDEOLOGY.Explain how the image/artwork agrees with OR repels against a particular cultural OR political ideological viewpoint (includes issues of identity, race, & gender).
Expand the image to see small details that you may want to use in support of your essay.
