caspar david friedrich13the anatomy lesson W r i t i n g

caspar david friedrich13the anatomy lesson W r i t i n g

Activity 2.3: Comparison-Contrast Formal Analysis

Introduction

In the discussion you examined the elements and principles of a single work of art. In this activity, you will compare two works of art. This will allow you to see how artists create similar subjects but handle the elements and principles differently. In some cases there may be subtle differences. In others, they may be vastly different. What effect did their decisions on how to depict the subject have on the work?

Activity Instructions

Develop a PowerPoint presentation in which you compare/contrast at least 5 elements/principles for two works of art on the same subject. Do not select different pairs of artworks for each element/principle; use the same pair for all five elements. Include images of each artwork.

Elements and Principles

  • Line
  • Shape
  • Mass/Volume
  • Perspective
  • Texture
  • Color
  • Unity
  • Variety
  • Scale
  • Proportion
  • Balance
  • Movement
  • Rhythm

Include a detailed analysis comparing/contrasting the elements you selected. (Use the notes area for the full analysis and bullets on the slide for highlights.) You are just looking and describing what you see. No research is required unless you need to determine the exact objects or figures within the painting. Do not research to find out the symbolism or meaning.

You can select from the pairs listed in this activity or select two of your own. Selections should have a similar subject matter.

Pairs of artwork for comparison and contrast. Each row is a pair of pieces of art. Choose one row for this assignment.
# First Work of Art Second Work of Art
1 Santa Trinita Madonna – Cimabue
2 Liberty Leading the People – Eugène Delacroix The Oath of the Horatii – Jacques-Louis David
3 Supper at Emmaus – Caravaggio The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci
4 The Hunters in the Snow – Pieter Bruegel the Elder
5 The Avenue at Middelharnis – Meindert Hobbema McSorley’s Bar – John Sloan Nighthawks – Edward Hopper
7 – Jacob Lawrence
8 Autumn in the River Valley – Guo Xi The Rocky Mountains, Lander’s Peak – Albert Bierstadt
9 Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quill – Pieter Claesz
10 – Georgia O’Keeffe
11 Akbar’s Adventures with the Elephant Hawa’i in 1561
12 The Monk by the Sea – Caspar David Friedrich
13 The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp – Rembrandt The Gross Clinic – Thomas Eakins
14 Central Park – Maurice Prendergast The Drive, Central Park – William Glackens
15 Les Demoiselles d’Avignon – Pablo Picasso
16 Violin and Candlestick – Georges Braque Violin Hanging on the Wall – Pablo Picasso
17
18 Mother and Child – Auguste Renoir The Young Mother – Mary Cassatt
19 Sommertag – Berthe Morisot The Boating Party – Mary Cassatt
20 Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes – Artemisia Gentileschi Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes – Orazio Gentileschi

Tips for Success

  • Include arrows or cropped images to point out details that you address that may not be obvious to the viewer.
  • Do not overcrowd your slides.
  • Use bullets to highlight points in short phrases. Do not place paragraphs of text on the slide. Use notes area for full analysis instead.

Writing and Submission Requirements

  • Minimum of 5 slides, not including title slide
  • Title and reference slides
  • Notes area to elaborate on your analysi