Assignment-
These images are unknown, but relate to works we have examined in class (or will examine). Study the images carefully. Choose any two and write a short essay in which you discuss and analyze them. You may wish to consider such issues as the following, although you are free to develop and use other approaches to interrogate the images.
Describe the two works (and attempt to identify the subject matter, if relevant), and then compare and contrast them, considering their character and possible functions and contexts. What do they tell us about ways in which the visual arts were employed to communicate ideas to diverse audiences in the early Middle Ages?
In some cases you might wish to consider technical and historical factors that may help to explain their differences and similarities. You may also wish to suggest an approximate date (e.g., fourth century, seventh century) for the individual works. It is important to qualify all of your statements: e.g., why you believe a work might be the product of a particular era or context. You will want to refer to other works/objects in order to support your arguments.
This writing assignment aims to give you “real-life” experience in art historical problem-solving.
Critical study of art and visual culture involves far more than the observation of black-and-white facts; it incorporates a wide range of interdisciplinary interpretative practices. Thus you are encouraged to develop an argument that draws on issues in philosophy, history, theology, medicine, literary studies, women’s studies, and so on.
Requirements
All essays must be in sentence form and typed (double-spaced with one-inch margins on the left and right and font size no smaller than Times Roman 12 point). The text must not exceed 6 pages in length; please note that a minimum length of 5 pages of text is mandatory. A critical apparatus (endnotes, bibliography, labeled images) is required in addition to the text. The Department of Visual Arts uses the Chicago Manual of Style.
