Take a virtual visit to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of New York and select one work of art from a period of art history we’ve studied to analyze formally and historically in a short essay (1,000 words).
https://www.metmuseum.org
If there is another museum’s collection you would like to use, please email me and let me know.
Your essay should address the following areas of analysis (20 points each):
What do you see? What is the subject and style of the work? (Discussions of style should follow the framework of the elements of art and principles of design, attached here).
What materials and techniques are being used? What do these choices indicate about the culture and/or artist?
How do the artistic techniques and style function to convey the values of the artist and culture from which the artwork emerged?
Who is the intended audience of the artwork? What power dynamics are being communicated through the artwork? Whose identity is being projected (consider personal, familial, communal, and political aspects of identity)?
How do the cultural values of the artwork compare or contrast to the values of current day society?
Always begin your analysis by looking. Allow yourself to brainstorm as you look at the work of art, and use the elements of art and principles of design to guide your formal analysis.
When you quote, paraphrase, or summarize ideas—whether from an article, book, or from non-print sources—you must cite the source. You must correctly cite all sources using MLA Format or The Chicago Manual of Style. Any instances of plagiarism will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment. Another helpful resource on grammar and style is The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Please email me with any questions.