Category: Art : Design

Part I: Historical Background
Research and address the following questions in your essay:
What is the Protestant Reformation?
Who were the main people involved in the Protestant Reformation?
What were Luther’s main complaints with the Catholic Church?
What is the Council of Trent? Why is it called the Counter Reformation?
How did the Catholic Church respond to the Protestant Reformation? Give examples and be specific.
How did each group (Protestants and Catholics) use/reject religious art?
Part II: Impact on the Visual Arts
Focus on two artworks of the same subject: the Last Supper. One is a painting by the Italian Catholic artist Tintoretto, the other is a woodcut print by the German Protestant artist Albrecht Dürer. Both are discussed in the GTA textbook so start off by reading that section, adding it and 1 additional source to your Works Cited page. You will need to add specifics from your research (documented by in text citations after each relevant sentence).
Compare and contrast the two artist/works of art, answering the following issues/questions:
Which media were used by the and how do they relate to their respective religious group?
How did each artist interpret the subject matter? Refer to specific elements that are/are not present in each artwork.
Which religious values and doctrines of their respective denomination was each artist trying to demonstrate? Link specific visual elements to the respective doctrine or belief, Protestant or Catholic.

For this journal:
Discuss the artistic climate of the Baroque period and describe the general characteristics of the Baroque style.
Select three artworks from the list below, one from each patronage group (Catholic, Royal, and Protestant Middle Class).
For each artwork, post a photo and identify the work, giving artist, title, date, and medium.
For each artwork answer the following questions (some research will be required):
Who was the patron (person/group who paid) of the work and to which of the three groups does he/she they belong?
Which stylistic characteristics does the work exhibit that are typical for this patron but also typical for the entire period?
Discuss the subject matter and theme of the work. How does it reflect the needs and interests of the patronage group?
What function was the artwork intended to serve (ie: political propaganda, religious devotion or secular ?)
Select 3 of the following to discuss in your journal
Ecstasy of St. Theresa, Bernini
Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio
The Raising of the Cross, Rubens
Woman Holding a Balance, Vermeer
Still Life with Glass Globe, Claesz
The Night Watch, Rembrandt
Louis XIV, Rigaud
Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, Hardouin-Mansart
Las Meninas, Velasquez

Art Response Essay Guide
Due Dates
Rough Draft due Sun 11/12
Note: A rough draft is optional, butencouraged
Final Draft due Sun 11/19
Format: 12 pt font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, double-spaced, no extra space between paragraphs
Length: At least 3 FULL pages (spilling onto page 4); more is acceptable within reason.
Purpose: In the response essay, you are to interpret and evaluate a text (a work of art, literature, film, etc). By completing this assignment you will:
Practice proper use of evidence and explanationin forming an argument.
Practice analysis (textual, literary,rhetorical) and “reading” for deeper meaning.
Practice an essay genre that has uses beyond theacademic sphere.
Practice skills related to evaluation andcritique.
Practice forming clear and reasoned arguments.
Include: Your essay should include a brief description (you cannot assume I have seen the same piece), an interpretation, in which you explain what the artist/creator was trying to say with their piece, and an evaluation of the creator’s success or failure. All parts (the description, interpretation, and the evaluation) should incorporate concrete evidence and examples from the text.
For this essay, you should adhere to the following format:
Introduction: with a clear thesis statement (“3-Point”Thesis)
Description: a brief synopsis or summary of thework.
Interpretation: in which you demonstrate theunderlying meaning or purpose of the piece; what is the author or creatortrying to accomplish? You shouldincorporate the points of your thesis, and the elements you use as evidenceshould have been mentioned in the description.
Evaluation: where you determine if theauthor/director/creator/etc. managed to meet the goal of conveying theirdesired intent to the audience, including why or why not you come to thatconclusion.
Conclusion

For this journal:
Discuss the artistic climate of the Baroque period and describe the general characteristics of the Baroque style.
Select three artworks from the list below, one from each patronage group (Catholic, Royal, and Protestant Middle Class).
For each artwork, post a photo and identify the work, giving artist, title, date, and medium.
For each artwork answer the following questions (some research will be required):
Who was the patron (person/group who paid) of the work and to which of the three groups does he/she they belong?
Which stylistic characteristics does the work exhibit that are typical for this patron but also typical for the entire period?
Discuss the subject matter and theme of the work. How does it reflect the needs and interests of the patronage group?
What function was the artwork intended to serve (ie: political propaganda, religious devotion or secular ?)
Select 3 of the following to discuss in your journal
Ecstasy of St. Theresa, Bernini
Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio
The Raising of the Cross, Rubens
Woman Holding a Balance, Vermeer
Still Life with Glass Globe, Claesz
The Night Watch, Rembrandt
Louis XIV, Rigaud
Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, Hardouin-Mansart
Las Meninas, Velasquez

Art Response Essay Guide
Due Dates
Rough Draft due Sun 11/12
Note: A rough draft is optional, butencouraged
Final Draft due Sun 11/19
Format: 12 pt font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, double-spaced, no extra space between paragraphs
Length: At least 3 FULL pages (spilling onto page 4); more is acceptable within reason.
Purpose: In the response essay, you are to interpret and evaluate a text (a work of art, literature, film, etc). By completing this assignment you will:
Practice proper use of evidence and explanationin forming an argument.
Practice analysis (textual, literary,rhetorical) and “reading” for deeper meaning.
Practice an essay genre that has uses beyond theacademic sphere.
Practice skills related to evaluation andcritique.
Practice forming clear and reasoned arguments.
Include: Your essay should include a brief description (you cannot assume I have seen the same piece), an interpretation, in which you explain what the artist/creator was trying to say with their piece, and an evaluation of the creator’s success or failure. All parts (the description, interpretation, and the evaluation) should incorporate concrete evidence and examples from the text.
For this essay, you should adhere to the following format:
Introduction: with a clear thesis statement (“3-Point”Thesis)
Description: a brief synopsis or summary of thework.
Interpretation: in which you demonstrate theunderlying meaning or purpose of the piece; what is the author or creatortrying to accomplish? You shouldincorporate the points of your thesis, and the elements you use as evidenceshould have been mentioned in the description.
Evaluation: where you determine if theauthor/director/creator/etc. managed to meet the goal of conveying theirdesired intent to the audience, including why or why not you come to thatconclusion.
Conclusion

For this journal:
Discuss the artistic climate of the Baroque period and describe the general characteristics of the Baroque style.
Select three artworks from the list below, one from each patronage group (Catholic, Royal, and Protestant Middle Class).
For each artwork, post a photo and identify the work, giving artist, title, date, and medium.
For each artwork answer the following questions (some research will be required):
Who was the patron (person/group who paid) of the work and to which of the three groups does he/she they belong?
Which stylistic characteristics does the work exhibit that are typical for this patron but also typical for the entire period?
Discuss the subject matter and theme of the work. How does it reflect the needs and interests of the patronage group?
What function was the artwork intended to serve (ie: political propaganda, religious devotion or secular ?)
Select 3 of the following to discuss in your journal
Ecstasy of St. Theresa, Bernini
Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio
The Raising of the Cross, Rubens
Woman Holding a Balance, Vermeer
Still Life with Glass Globe, Claesz
The Night Watch, Rembrandt
Louis XIV, Rigaud
Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, Hardouin-Mansart
Las Meninas, Velasquez

Art Response Essay Guide
Due Dates
Rough Draft due Sun 11/12
Note: A rough draft is optional, butencouraged
Final Draft due Sun 11/19
Format: 12 pt font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, double-spaced, no extra space between paragraphs
Length: At least 3 FULL pages (spilling onto page 4); more is acceptable within reason.
Purpose: In the response essay, you are to interpret and evaluate a text (a work of art, literature, film, etc). By completing this assignment you will:
Practice proper use of evidence and explanationin forming an argument.
Practice analysis (textual, literary,rhetorical) and “reading” for deeper meaning.
Practice an essay genre that has uses beyond theacademic sphere.
Practice skills related to evaluation andcritique.
Practice forming clear and reasoned arguments.
Include: Your essay should include a brief description (you cannot assume I have seen the same piece), an interpretation, in which you explain what the artist/creator was trying to say with their piece, and an evaluation of the creator’s success or failure. All parts (the description, interpretation, and the evaluation) should incorporate concrete evidence and examples from the text.
For this essay, you should adhere to the following format:
Introduction: with a clear thesis statement (“3-Point”Thesis)
Description: a brief synopsis or summary of thework.
Interpretation: in which you demonstrate theunderlying meaning or purpose of the piece; what is the author or creatortrying to accomplish? You shouldincorporate the points of your thesis, and the elements you use as evidenceshould have been mentioned in the description.
Evaluation: where you determine if theauthor/director/creator/etc. managed to meet the goal of conveying theirdesired intent to the audience, including why or why not you come to thatconclusion.
Conclusion

In this Era of Enlightenment, we see a shift in French society, one that we will later realize is the seed of a revolution. So, to better understand what comes next, let’s first look at the shift in French society during the 18th century.
For this Journal Entry, contrast the group of French thinkers, known as the philosophes, and the French aristocracy of the 18th century.
Your writing should be at least 200 words, and written in the MLA style. Please cite all of your sources.

Art often reflects the sensations of the time, especially in politics.
For this journal entry, you are to discuss the tension between England’s absolutist monarchy and the conservative Protestant population and how this was reflected in the arts.
Entry should be at least 200 words and written MLA style. As always, cite your sources.

You will write a 5 paragraph, 750 word (minimum) argumentative paper in which you will compare and contrast the style of two art works that depict the same subject matter (landscapes, political leaders, portraits, mother and child, crucifixion, etc).
Through your own analysis and research* of the distinctive artistic styles,** you will argue which artist’s style best renders the subject matter. I have attached a helpful list of artworks that share that same subject matter CompareandContrast.pdf that you can use for your paper. This paper is worth 20% of your grade. Much of your grade will come from your ability to present a clear formal analysis.
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*IMPORTANT: This paper should reflect your own ideas, analysis, and interpretations. Further research should be used to support your ideas, NOT replace them. A good rule of thumb is that no more that 20% of your paper will be comprised of material from other sources. Any researched material or content in your paper must be cited.
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**Style refers to the distinctive and recognizable way in which an artwork or artifact is composed (i.e. Impressionism, Baroque, Cubism, Surrealism etc.)
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Artwork Selection, Analysis, and Research:
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Take time to observe the artworks. Make notes on similarities and differences based on your own observations. Research the defining stylistic elements, themes, and characteristics of the artistic style of the work through academically sound books, journal articles, and websites to further your understanding of the artistic style of each artwork, and use that research to further your analysis. Learn about the cultural and historical context surrounding the artwork. Remember that any researched material or content in your paper must be cited.
After carefully comparing the works formulate an argument for which artistic style most successfully captures the subject matter.
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Organization/Content Requirements: The paper should adhere to the following organization and content outline. It should consist of 5 paragraphs: an introduction, three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Introduction:
The introductory paragraph should clearly and concisely introduce the topic.
Outline what artworks you will analyzing.
What is the style of each artwork (Impressionistic, Surreal, Baroque, etc)
Thesis statement should clearly state which artist’s style you have determined is best and why? Underline your argumentative thesis.
Remember this argument should be based on which artwork best captures the subject matter. DO NOT JUST SAY YOU LIKE IT BETTER OR THAT IT IS PRETTY.
Paragraphs 2 and 3: In each paragraph you will describe the subject matter and artistic style of the work in detail.
Describe each work and the medium used. Is the work of art a sculpture, painting, photograph, etc.? Be specific and work this information into the paper.
What is the style of the artwork (Impressionistic, Surreal, Baroque, etc.) Clearly outline the defining characteristic that contribute to the style including formal elements, design principles, themes, and the level of abstraction or representation.
Paragraph 4: In this paragraph you will compare and contrast the two works. I want you to really emphasize the stylistic similarities and differences of each artist’s style. Consider the following questions and include the required information within the body of the paragraph.
How are the artistic styles similar? What elements and principles do they share? Is the message or meaning the same?
How are the artistic styles different? What elements and principles are different? How do these differences affect the work?
Use your analysis and research to support your argument which artistic style is best at depicting the subject matter.
Concluding Paragraph: Restate your argumentative thesis and summarize your supporting observations.
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Formatting Requirements:
Paper should be a minimum of 750 words.
Paragraphs should follow basic academic standards: double-spaced, 11 or 12-point font, a basic font such as Arial or Calibri, about 1-inch margins.
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Grammar and Spelling Requirements:
The paper should be free from major errors in spelling and grammar. Be sure to proofread for correct spelling and grammar usage.
Maintain a formal tone and avoid using slang or conversational jargon.
This is a formal paper. Do not use personal pronouns such as “I,” “we,” or “you.”
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Citation:
You must include a works cited page.
You must include in-text citations for all researched material.
All researched material, NOT just direct quotes must be cited. If it is not your idea you must cite your source.
You may include a maximum of 2 BRIEF direct quotes in your paper.
Use MLA, Chicago or Turabian. Do Not use APA.