Please be sure to read the instructions below, there needs to be a minimum of three sources, at least one of them has to be from bibliographies, historical events, library. Author name and paragraph number must be included after quotations that come directly from the source. Also please be sure to go over the rubric attracted below as well.
1. Introduction: This first paragraph should do two things: introduce the piece and also discuss the context in which the piece was made.
Your first sentence should state the title of the piece, the artist (if applicable), the date
or period of the piece, and the medium.
This should be followed by a history of the artist and/or the piece. This is forming your
introduction paragraph. You are giving context to the piece, which you should refer to later throughout the essay.
or Things to Consider: Biography, historical events, scientific and philosophical ideas
Is it part of a specific art movement? This will inform the content in section 2.
2. Composition/Content: This is dependent on your chosen piece. If it is abstract or contemporary, composition may have been a greater consideration than any narrative content.
What is the piece? Discuss medium, composition, colors, and what is depicted.
Discuss scale and also presentation. Is it reliant on its location?
Is it a landscape, a group of figures, an abstract composition? Is there any obvious
plant life, architecture, or people shown?
or If it is a landscape or a naturalist painting, discuss foreground, background,
and middle ground. Is there a focal point? Do we know what the buildings
are or who the people are?
or If the piece is abstract, consider things like negative and positive space
Consider how the piece was crafted.
Discuss the obvious factors of the piece, discussing the story shown in the piece or the obvious details.
Use specific terms that we have learned this semester (focal point, scale, foreground…)
3. Criticism: This is where you write your more detailed observations and you summarize your point.
What was the artist’s intent with this piece? This may not be obvious. This is where you use an educated guess if you cannot find sources to discuss this.
Consider symbolism and/or innovation. What is interesting and original about this piece? Is the artist influenced by a specific movement or by a group of artists?
How does this piece fit in with its historical context? Does it reflect it or break from it? Was the piece successful in communicating the artist’s intent?
4. Conclusion: Summary of your points. At least 4 or 5 sentences, reiterating your most important observations and thoughts. Some of your sentence topics could be as follows:
What did the piece depict?
What was interesting about the piece?
Was the piece successful in communicating the artist’s intent?
