HUMN 1201

Dr. Cecile de Rocher

Critical Essay: Image Analysis

Due by 11:59pm on 11/8 in GeorgiaVIEW

Principle

For this assignment, you will write an essay explaining why you like two images. Choose two pieces of art from the list on this sheet. Examine them carefully, and write an essay. Why do you like them? Please focus your comments on the art itself, not on your own self. Use only the lecture materials (PowerPoints, handouts, scripts, films, classroom notes) and the textbook as your sources.

Technique

For the introductory paragraph, explain which images you will discuss, who made them, from what period they come, and what figure numbers they have. Sum up in a sentence what makes you like this artwork. You may use the pronouns “I” and “me,” but not “you.”

Refer to the artist initially by full name, then only by last name (except Italian masters, such as Leonardo). Use italics and capitalization for titles, which you may abbreviate afterwards. (Most ancient and medieval pieces are untitled.)

For the body, discuss 2-3 aspects of the pieces that prompt a positive response. Do not simply explain what the piece depicts. Instead, analyze elements of the art that make it appealing to you. If you have trouble thinking of anything to say, ask me for help. Hint: Talk about the art. Don’t discuss yourself too much or overuse the first person (“I” and “me”).

Discuss art in present tense: “Mary holds the infant Jesus on her lap.” If you refer to the Judeo-Christian-Islamic deity, capitalize the “G” in “God.” Use at least four (4) vocabulary terms in the essay, and use boldface for these words to help me spot them.

Do use the textbook and make an MLA-style bibliography (Works Cited). You may quote, paraphrase, or summarize, but furnish the page number. In an essay this short, please do not use block quotes. For the conclusion, make some observations about the art or about your reaction to it.

Do not use other sources (including Internet). I will deduct points for any material that comes from a non-class source, and I will report plagiarism to the director of Student Conduct.

Format

Write 500-750 words, double spaced, in twelve-point Times New Roman font. Use the same format (MLA) as usual. Give the essay a good title, but don’t underline it, and don’t put it in quotes.

Evaluation

Have aesthetics in mind and analyze the art, but do not express at length your personal opinions or feelings. Your reaction to the art must come from the piece itself, and I will evaluate your essay on how well you explain. Use the vocabulary learned in class. Observe the conventions of essay composition: organization, development, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation. Proofread carefully for errors. You may ask me or the Writing Lab faculty any questions about what you’ve written, but do so before the due date.

1.6 Hall of the Bulls

1.8 Venus of Willendorf

1.32 Statue of Khafre

2.12 New York (Attic) Kouros

2.13 Kroisos (Anavysos)

2.14 Peplos Kore

2.16 Kritios Boy

2.22 Temple of Hera

3.3 Parthenon

3.4 Lapith and Centaur

3.6 Equestrian Group

3.11 Spear Bearer

3.19 Hermes Carrying Infant Dionysus

4.6 Capitoline Wolf

4.19 Atrium, House of the Silver Wedding

4.25 Augustus of Prima Porta

4.27 Pont du Gard (Aqueduct)

4.34 Pantheon

5.2 Citadel at Mohenjo-Daro

5.4 Siva as Nataraja

6.9 Anchor

6.10 Chi Rho

6.11 Good Shepherd

7.4 Christ as the Good Shepherd

7.6 Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes

7.10 Hagia Sophia, interior

7.12 View of the Apse in San Vitale

7.13 Emperor Justinian

7.14 Empress Theodora

7.17 Christ Pantocrator

8.15 Mirador in the Alhambra

8.20 Qur’an page

8.21 Mihrab

9.3 Folio verso

9.16 Adam and Eve Reproached by the Lord

9.17 St. Sernin, exterior

9.19 St. Sernin, interior

9.23 Reliquary of Charlemagne

10.3 St. Denis

10.6 Notre Dame de Paris

10.7 Notre Dame de Paris

10.9 Chartres

10.12 Sainte Chapelle

10.22 Scenes from the Life of St. Francis

11.7 Madonna Enthroned, Cimabue

11.8 Madonna Enthroned, Giotto

11.10 Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints

12.2 Giovanni Arnolofini

12.4 Merode altarpiece

12.5 Ghent altarpiece

12.6 Biblia Latina

12.16 David, Donatello

12.17 David, Verocchio

12.18 David, Michelangelo

12.21 The Holy Trinity, Masaccio

12.27 Primavera, Botticelli

12.28 The Birth of Venus, Botticelli

13.3 The Last Supper, Leonardo

13.4 Mona Lisa

13.6 Madonna of the Meadow

13.8 (ABC) Philosophy (School of Athens)

13.9 Pietà

13.11 David, Michelangelo

13.12 Moses, Michelangelo

13.14 Creation of Adam

13.15 The Last Judgement

13.23 Venus of Urbino

13.24 Entombment

13.28 The Last Supper, Tintoretto

13.34 Perseus Holding the Head of Medusa

Cunningham, Lawrence S. et al. Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities. 9th edition. Vol 1. Cengage, 2018.

HUMN 1201: Expressions of Culture