write an essay (at least 750 words) that compares and contrasts two artworks. How are they similar? How are they different? In the process, we will uncover the connections between two different people in two different times and places.
Choose one of the possible pairs listed below:
OPTION 1:
Great Stupa at Sanchi, founded 3rd century BCE (India)
The Dome of the Rock, originally begun 691 CE (Islamic)
OPTION 2:
Buddha Seated on a Lion Throne, stone, late 1st-early 2nd century CE, from Mathura (India)
Meditating Bodhisattva Maitreya, gilded bronze, early 7th century (Korea)
OPTION 3:
Travelers Amid Mountains and Streams, by Fan Kuan, hanging scroll with ink on silk, c. 990-1030 CE (China)
Page from the Qur’an, illuminated manuscriipt, c. 9th century CE (Islamic)
You will discuss the similarities and differences between two examples, based on:
Visual analysis (what do they look like)
What do you see? What do the two examples share in common, and where do they differ? What is the subject matter of each artwork? Is it a representation of something or is it nonrepresentational? If it is representational, is it an abstraction of something? Are certain elements exaggerated? Is one example much larger or smaller in scale than the other? Is one colorful whereas the other one lacks color?
