Program 1
Program 2
Program 3
Program 4
Program 5
Program 6
Below are links to six pages, each showing a different program of painted decoration. These works are in various media and each is from a different period. Click on each of the links in turn, and look at the images carefully. You may wish to print them.
Choose one program of painting.
Method: Write a 2-3 page essay (spaced 1.5) describing the work of art. Determine which stylistic period or periods the work belongs to, and defend your conclusion with an analysis of the work.
Discuss the following:
--what is the medium ? (how can you tell whether
it is a wall painting, mosaic, panel, or manuscript ? what images
show the technique best, and how ?)
--what is the context (architectural ? a
manuscript
?)
--how is the composition or compositions structured ?
--what is the subject matter (iconography) ? say
what each image shows, as specifically as you can. Are there
particularly
interesting features about the subjects ? Here you will need to
go
through the set of images one by one.
--how is the work treated ? what devices did the
painter (or mosaicist) use ? consider things like
three-dimensionality,
light and shade, architectural elements or landscape (or the absence of
these) --what characterizes the style of the work ?
--based on all of the above, what period do you think
it belongs to ? Is it typical or atypical of its period ?
Use the images to address these questions but write a synthesized essay, NOT an image-by-image analysis.
As a conclusion, assess the contribution of the painting program you have selected to the overall development of medieval painting, considering what aspects of the medium, iconography and style depend on earlier developments and which play an important role in later periods.
If you need help in writing, contact the Writing Center (501 Cathedral of Learning, tel. 4-6556 for an appointment).
The paper is due in class Oct. 5. Write 2-3 pages. Be neat and grammatical: points will be deducted for poor quality of expression, grammar, and typographical errors.
Please note that the paper must be written by you. You may certainly discuss it with others but you must write it yourself. Plagiarized work is not acceptable. If suspicions arise, you will be asked to repeat the paper using a different set of images. If there is any plagiarism on the rewritten version, or on any other paper you turn in later in the course, you will receive an "F" for the paper.
This paper will test your powers of observation and ability to analyze and discuss a work of art based on what you see. You are not asked to read in order to complete this assignment. If you want to read about your chosen work, you will find references below.
| Program 1 |
Program 2 |
Program 3 |
Program 4 |
Program 5 |
Program 6 |