Write a compare-and-contrast research paper that investigates how two works of art from different periods styles represent a particular theme in art. Your comparison must focus on the artists and period styles covered in LA 120 and must include at least ONE artwork from a period style introduced after Module 7.

The pair you choose must be drawn from two different period styles. For example, you may compare a High Classical Greek artwork with an Early Italian Renaissance artwork. You may NOT compare a High Classical Greek artwork to another work from the Hellenistic period. It is important to choose two artworks that have a number of things in common as well as a number of unique aspects to compare.

Assignment

Write a minimum four- to five-page essay comparing and contrasting two works of art from two different styles covered in this course between the Pre Historic through the Early Italian Renaissance periods. One of your selected works of art must be from AFTER the midterm (Modules 8-14). You must cover the following points in your comparison:

Introduction and Thesis

Introduce the artwork titles, period styles and artists names

Briefly state what you believe is significant about these artworks

In other words, tell your reader what works of art you will be discussing and why you think they are important

Stylistic analysis

Correctly identify artwork titles, period styles, and artists’ names

Compare the artworks by discussing key stylistic characteristics associated with artists and period styles

Apply art-history vocabulary correctly and use it to support your stylistic analysis

In other words, what makes these works stylistically significant?

Cultural analysis

Compare the artworks by discussing key cultural issues associated with artists and periods

Discuss how the cultural context of each period influenced the artistic development of the period style (make connections between cultural context and style)

In other words, what makes these works culturally significant?

Conclusion and Thematic Connection

Analyze the ways art can affect and/or reflect cultural, political and social issues

Draw conclusions about the artist/society which produced the artwork from the comparison

In other words, what “thematic connection” can you make between the two works of art that helps you better understand them or the culture they represent?

Research

Incorporate three or more sources (outside of lecture notes and the textbook) to support your analysis

Properly cite your sources using MLA format

Include a list of works cited

Written Mechanics

Use grammar, spelling, and punctuation correctly throughout your paper

Proofread it.

In other words, there should be no mechanical errors!

Sources

Use three sources in addition to the module text. Examples include:

Scholarly professional website (for example, a museum, research institute or university)

Nonfiction book published within the last 50 years

An art history textbook (such as Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition, or Schneider-Adams’s Art Across Time)

Professional art historical publication (magazine or journal, can be online) such as The Art Bulletin

Databases such as the Oxford Dictionary of Art Online (accessible through the AAU Library website)

Credible professional websites, such as those of museums, galleries, and universities, for example:

The Getty Center

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

In other words, don’t use Wikipedia!

Due Date

Your paper is due in Module 15 by the deadline posted by your instructor. ABSOLUTELY NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Submission Directions

Submit your paper in the appropriate Module 15 private discussion topic.

Evaluation

Your final essay will be graded on:

Critical Thinking & Analysis: 35%

Cultural Significance:25%

Stylistic Significance: 25%

Research & Citations: 10%

Writing Mechanics: 5%