Art Exhibition Pictures Assignment
Attached is the two works of art Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art You will describe the work of art in visual and historical terms, and should be sure to mention relevant aspects of its context.
The format will consist of a minimum of two pages of text, double-spaced, in a typewritten format. This should include both works of art you choose.
Length: 2 to 3 pages typewritten, double-spaced and stapled. Margins 1”, 12 pt. Times New Roman font
Works of Art: You will choose two works of art to write about – from two different exhibitions (one from one exhibition and the other from another exhibition, a total of two).
First identify the work of art:
• Title and artist, date (period, era, and year, depending on how much information is available), medium (what it is made of), size and where it is exhibited (the name of the museum).
• It is not necessary to illustrate your paper. In fact, your written description should be so complete that the reader (your instructor) can picture the work of art in her mind.
Then ask yourself these questions while looking at the work:
• Who is the artist or is the artist unknown?
• What period or style is it?
• Does the title help you interpret what you see?
• What is its subject matter?
• How big is it? How does its medium (material) affect the quality of the impression it gives?
• What are its formal elements (elements of art and principles of design)?
* Two-Dimensional work: line, color, composition, etc.
• Is it naturalistic, idealistic, realistic, abstract, or a combination?
* How is the subject being depicted?
Function/Symbolism (Often relates to cultural context)
• What was it used for? Why was it made?
• Is it sacred or secular?
• Does it communicate a specific message?
• Does it contain symbolism? What does it mean?
• What was happening historically, politically, socially, religiously, intellectually, and/or economically at the time it was made?
• What were qualities of life at the time and place the piece was made that may have affected its function and style?
• What was the original purpose of this artwork?
• What characteristics does it have that make it typical or atypical of its period or type?
Consider other formal elements of the work and how they relate to its subject matter:
• How is line employed in the work? Does it seem to regulate or order the composition? Does it seem to fragment the work?
• What is the movement of major lines and shapes? Is the work static or dynamic? What are the major rhythms of the piece?
• What is the relation of shape to space in the work? How does the artist portray space? Is it shallow or deep?
• How do light and dark function in the work? Is there a great deal of value contrast, or is it held to a minimum?
• What other elements seem important? Is your attention drawn to the work’s texture (real or implied)? Are there areas that are rough or smooth? Are there any identifiable patterns?
How are these elements organized?
• Is there significant use of visual rhythm and repetition of elements?
• Is the composition balanced? Symmetrically? Asymmetrically?
• Does the composition seem unified or not? If not, why? How has the artist’s choice of medium played a role in the presentation of the various elements and their organization or design?
• What is the artist trying to say about the subject matter of the work? What feelings or attitudes does the composition seem to evoke, and what specific elements or design choices in the composition account for these feelings?