Art History Introduction Assignment

Reading Assignment

Read the introduction in Stokstad (pp. xxix-lii) and the Starter Kit (pp. xxiii-xxviii) outlining the premises and basic concepts of art history.

Writing Assignment

Select any Western painting, sculpture, or work of architecture from Art History that is included in the chapters we will cover in this course. First, write a complete visual description of the work by analyzing its overall composition and subject matter. Strive to create a mental picture of the work so that someone who has no prior knowledge of the work or of art history can recognize it from your description. Next, write a thorough formal analysis of the work in which you discuss its formal elements (i.e., line, color, texture, space, and composition) and utilize relevant art historical vocabulary to discuss its style, medium, and other pertinent issues.

This assignment will be due Wednesday 8/27/14 When this paper is returned to you, save it. For the final assignment, you will rewrite it in light of what you have learned during the course. You will not receive a grade for the initial paper, but you will receive a grade for your revision.