bolded for emphasis.
Students should compare and contrast the following formal elements and concepts in each painting:
Quality of line
Color
Light and Shadow
Space and form
Naturalism vs. Abstraction
While a formal analysis looks primarily at the form and not the content – here, be sure to discuss HOW the differences in these formal elements effects the emotional response the viewer has to each painting. Example: how is Nolde’s image of Christ more emotionally charged than Montegna’s?
Be sure your paper has a strong introduction and conclusion.
A few reminders when writing about art:
This is a formal academic paper – therefore – first person narrative voice should not be used. (No “I,” “me,” “my.”)
Titles of artwork should always be in italics.
Artists should never be referred to be only their first name: Nolde, or Emil Nolde, but never just Emil.
Try to avoid words like “great,” or “things” or “gets” as descriptors or adjectives – be more specific. Instead of
saying “the artist is great at rendering naturalistic space…” consider “the artist’s representation of three dimensional space if effective because…”
Do your best not to leave room for your reader to ask “how,” or why?”
Use either MLA or APA style guides.
Proofread!
Emil Nolde. Crucifixion. Oil on canvas. 1912. (https://artforus.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/crucifixion/)
Andrea Mantegna. Crucifixion. Oil on canvas. 1457-60. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mantegna,_Andrea_-_crucifixion_-_Louvre_from_Predella_San_Zeno_Altarpiece_Verona.jpg)