Review chapters 16 and 17 of the textbook.
Watch the videos on the Davids by Donatello (Figure 16.1 and image included below), Michelangelo (Figure 16.8), and Bernini (image included below) available in this week’s course materials.
You are not required to do outside research, but if you wish you can do additional reading about the three sculptures and artists, the Biblical story of David, and the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Write an essay of no less than 500 words (which is roughly 2 pages, double spaced, any regular 12-point font, with 1 to 1.5 inch page margins) comparing and contrasting the David sculptures by the three artists–Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini. Address how each sculpture illustrates the characteristic features of the Early Renaissance, the High Renaissance, and the Baroque periods respectively. Your essay must describe and discuss the sculptures in terms of style, iconography, medium, purpose or contexts for why each was made, and each sculpture’s intended audience. How is each sculpture similar to the others and/or how is each different? Make sure to discuss using art historical language of visual elements/principles of design as appropriate. Up to 5 points for following the word limit, font, spacing, and margin requirements
Your essay must include the following:
Introductory paragraph(s) informing the reader about the three artists (with some biographical details), the time periods in which each worked, and the three sculptures Up to 30 points
1-2 paragraphs recounting the story of David and why it was popular during 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries Up to 15 points
Paragraphs describing and discussing each of the sculptures in terms of style, medium, why it was made, and the intended audience for each. Compare and contrast, making sure to address in what ways each may be similar to the others and in what ways each differs. You will be graded on the appropriate use art historical terminology and language. Up to 45 points; make sure to discuss details from the textbook reading and videos for this
Paragraphs discussing how each sculpture exhibits the characteristic features of the time period in which it was made (i.e. Early Renaissance, High Renaissance, and Baroque). Up to 30 points; make sure to discuss details from the textbook reading, the videos, and additional sources (optional) to support your observations.
A paragraph to conclude your discussion in which you restate the main points about the sculptures, the artists, and the time periods that each sculpture characterizes. Up to 5 points
