Writing Art

1. Length and Format

• The essay must be about 2 pages.
• It should be double-spaced.
• Use 12 pt font.
• Follow MLA style for formatting and citations.

2. Submission

The essay can be:

• Written directly in the Assignment section, or
• Submitted as a Word document.

3. Topic

Choose ONE artwork from:

• The course readings
  or
• Gardner Chapters 13
  or
• The Gardner PowerPoint presentations from those chapters.

4. Essay Content

A. Identify the Artwork

Include basic information about the artwork:

• What type of artwork it is (painting, sculpture, architecture, drawing, photography, etc.).
• What materials it is made of.
• Where it was made.
• When it was made.
• Where the artwork is located today.

B. Visual Analysis (Most Important Part)

Focus on how the artist created the visual experience, not just what the artwork shows.

Discuss elements such as:

• Lines
• Color
• Light
• Texture
• Composition
• Shape and form
• Materials and techniques used by the artist

Explain how these elements guide the viewer to see the artwork in a certain way.

C. Historical Context

Explain:

• What was happening in that place and time when the artwork was created.
• What the artwork meant to people during that historical period.

D. Personal Reflection

Include a short personal response:

• Why this artwork was chosen.
• What makes it interesting or appealing.
• What feelings or thoughts it creates.
• How seeing it in person in a museum might be different from seeing it on a screen or in a book.

5. Sources

• Use reliable sources such as museum or academic websites.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art website is recommended.
• Wikipedia may be used only for general background information.

6. Citations

• If information is taken from a source, it must be cited in MLA style.
• Use quotation marks when copying exact words from a source.
• All borrowed information must be properly referenced.