1. (20%) The paper should consist of AT LEAST 2000 words, includes images of the artworks critiqued. and cites at least three references – one must be a book (any art history book will do. The book does not have to be specifically about the artist.
2. (10%) Give a brief biography of the artist. This should be short. Include the “where he/she was born, etc.” but don’t try and elaborate too much on this. Keep it simple.
3. (15%) Discuss the education background and career highlights of the artist.
4. (25%) Discuss the art period/movement in which they worked and their influence on the period.
5. (30%) Critique two of the artist’s work using the criteria you used in the Critical Analysis assignment – DESCRIBE – ANALYZE – INTERPRET – JUDGE. Do not answer every question as in the Critical Analysis assignment, but write a paragraph summary for each part of the analysis.
Description
What kind of artwork is it?
What are the literal objects in the artwork?
What do you notice first in the work of art?
Describe the work without using value words such as “beautiful” or “ugly”:
Describe the elements of the work (i.e., color, line, light, space).
Describe the technical qualities of the work.
Describe the subject matter. What is it all about? Are there recognizable images?
Analysis (How is the work organized?)
How is the work constructed or planned?
Identify some of the similarities throughout the work.
Identify some of the points of emphasis in the work.
If the work has subjects or characters, what are the relationships between or among them?
What sort of effect do the colors have on the artwork?
How has the artist used lines and shapes in the artwork?
What is the overall visual effect or mood of the artwork?
Interpretation
Describe how the work makes you think or feel:
Describe the expressive qualities you find in the work. What expressive language would you use to describe the qualities (i.e., tragic, ugly, funny)?
Does the work remind you of other things you have experienced (i.e., analogy or metaphor)?
How does the work relate to other ideas or events in the world and/or in your other studies?
What do you think the artist was trying to convey?
What does it mean to you?
What feelings do you have when looking at the artwork?
Are there things in the artwork that represent other things (symbols)?
Why do you think the artist chose to work in this manner and made these kinds of artistic decisions?
Judge
Present your opinion of the work’s success or failure:
What qualities of the work make you feel it is a success or failure?
Compare it with similar works that you think are good or bad.
What criteria can you list to help others judge this work?
Do you think that the work has a benefit for others?
Do you find that the work communicates an idea, feeling or principle that would have value to others?
How original is the work? Why do you feel this work is original or not original?
