Choose a work of art by an artist we studied, or a work from the 19th century from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Complete an Essay 1 Close Looking sheet (attached) for your chosen work of art. Write a visual analysis of your chosen work and be sure to include why you chose it and what you find interesting or significant about the work. Include 2-3 significant cultural or historical points that are illustrated by this work and refer to content as well as style.
Please include a cover page with a title that is not the same as the art work, your name and the following information about the work you are writing about: the artist, the title (in italics or underlined), the date, and the medium (drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, etc.). Please include an image of the work.
Use evidence to back up your ideas by referencing what you see in the art work.
Topics you should expand upon in your essay may include:
Why did you choose this painting to look at carefully?
What was your first impression of this work?
What helped to inform, expand, and change your first impression?
Include a vivid visual description using rich, expressive language.
Focus on formal elements of the work of art: line, shape, color, texture, composition, and brushstroke as well as techniques.
Describe how the artist used these elements to create this work.
How do these elements impact your understanding of the work?
2-3 cultural or historical points which are evident in the work.
You can also use outside sources in the essay, but they must be cited and properly referenced.
Here are some tips to consider about writing when working on your essay:
Details matter—they are connected to the big idea
Think about multiple points of view
There is not one right or wrong answer
Elaborate and expand on your idea in order to see the big picture
Write about what you observe, but don’t end it there: infer, connect, relate, create