Using a variety of applicable methods of analysis (formal, stylistic, iconographic, contextual (religious, historical, biographical), feminist, gender studies, psychological), select two works of art from your textbook to compare and contrast. CHOOSE TWO WORKS OF ART
The two works that you decide to review should have something similar about them-most likely the subject matter. You could select works from anywhere in the book, except Chapter 1:10. It might be easiest to choose two from the Themes area in section 4. There, the works have been chosen for an overarching thematic connection. I want to read your formal analysis and your response. For credit, you must go beyond the information that is in the text!
Feel free to do a little bit of research on the artist and object. If you do, ALWAYS cite where you found the information. Use quotes if necessary. You should use the MLA style, which can be found on the GSU website here.
Two very good examples in the book that smoothly use a variety of methodologies in their discussion of the work are: 1. Pages 570-573, the section titled “Art in Public Spaces.”
2. Pages 664-665, the section titled “Reclining Nudes.”
You cannot use these!-you must choose your own! If you find that you are having a difficult time breaking away from the book’s analyses, then choose two works that the book does not compare.
writting process
Begin with a formal analysis, a study of an artwork’s use of the elements and principles of art. Do this with each piece. Use your vocabulary words- and when you use them be sure to explain what they mean. From there try to seek the meaning behind the elements of art. Then, break these down through the lenses of the different sorts of analysis. Try each to see which ones fit your work the best: stylistic, iconographic, contextual (religious, historical/social, biographical), feminist, gender studies, and psychological. Reminder: do not use psychological unless we know through evidence such as writings or biography of the artist their actual psychology or mindset.
Once you have identified what is important about the two works separately, develop a rich dialogue about the two, focusing on where they overlap and where they deviate. You could even draw out a chart, two columns, to clearly see where these are similar and where they are different. You are gathering information to write a comparison/contrast essay! You can find information on College about this sort of writing here.
Discuss whether any one approach of analysis seems more valid than the others for these artworks and why. Do not force the work into every method of analysis.
