Reference no: EM133681089

Question: The aim is for students to develop an eye for style and to locate the subtle differences that distinguish one technique or tendency from another. Typically, this involves visiting a museum to observe an object(s) and paper that details its stylistic features.

In the post-pandemic era, instead of physically visiting a collection, digital resources are more significant than ever before. So, for this project students will select one modern painting or sculpture from the permanent collection in an online collection at a reputable art institution. Some suggestions include the MoMA in NYC; Guggenheim Museum (NYC); Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC); Art Institute of Chicago; Philadelphia Museum of Art or Barnes Collection (Philadelphia); Tate Museum (London); Pompidou Center (Paris), etc.

Describe the object that is the focus of the presentation in full detail. You may use bullet points or sentences in the analysis. Pay close attention to the object's stylistic features (i.e., composition, color, use of light/shadow, perspective, figures, pose, gestures, et al).

Also, compare/contrast it to pieces that it reminds you of that we have studied in class. The comparisons can come from objects in the PowerPoint lectures uploaded into Canvas or from pieces discussed in the Arnason & Mansfield textbook. Comparisons also can be made to a painting from another online collection. The comparison pieces do not need to map on 100% to the object that is the focus of the presentation, but must share some formal aspect (e.g., composition, color, light/shadow, brushwork, perspective, etc). The comparisons can be interspersed throughout the presentation or can be grouped after the general description of the piece that is the central focus. Include as many comparisons that visually make sense. As a rule of thumb, a minimum of three (3) comparisons will establish a satisfactory presentation.

Organize the PowerPoint project to include an introduction that provides information about the artist's biography and/or training, plus a contextual slide that addresses the object's era in terms of sociopolitical or economic developments. Then include a slide that establishes a thesis statement about the object's overall style and/or briefly explains the subject matter addressed in the narrative. Organize the body of the PowerPoint project in a logical, analytic fashion. Conclude the paper with remarks about the significance of the object -- that is, how it fits into a larger Modern art historical framework. This is NOT a research paper; however, if you quote a source (e.g., a placard or web site from the museum), be sure to cite it.

At the end of the Visual Analysis PowerPoint Project, also include an "Image Index" or Works Cited slide that contains information about each object and/or comparison. Examples of an Image Index are included at the end of each PowerPoint that has been uploaded into the Canvas modules.