Writing Homework Help

The Art work I chose for this assignment is Pietro Dandini

Judith with the Head of Holofernes, c. 1670-80

The paper has two parts. PART ONE is a one-page biography of the artist. PART TWO is four pages of your own visual analysis of the work you have selected. Your observations and notes, yourideas, your words, your thoughts, in response to the following questions. This part is an analytical essay, not a research paper. You may use the Museum wall label, your textbooks, and the two books on Reserve (Gardner, Janson) as sources of information for this part, but no other outside or online research for PART TWO. Include some discussion of what makes the work characteristic of the Baroque period. You may also use online research for the subject matter/story of the work.

analyze the visual forms emphasized in your work, including the use of line and contour, texture, color, scale and othervisual design elements, as suggested by your answers to the following questions. ASK YOURSELF WHY THE ARTIST MADE THE DECISIONS

HE/SHE DID TO USE THE VISUAL ELEMENTS IN THIS PARTICULAR WAY.

1) What is visually mostdistinctive/special about the work? Which elements are most emphasized: lines/outlines; space/depth; light and shadow; textures; color?

2) Is line important? outlines? inner lines? detail? What kinds of lines?

3) What colors are emphasized? What is the effect of the colors chosen? How are colors combined — to harmonize or to create strong contrasts? Do the kinds of colors use draw your attention to a certain focus in the picture?

4) What is the approximate size (scale) of the piece? Is the work monumental, or is it small-scaled & intimate? How would it be different if it were smaller, or larger? Why do you think the artist choose that size for this work? What is the effect of the scale chosen?

5) Is texture important? If yes, how are textures shown? Why are they important? What do they add to the image? For sculpture , are actual textures emphasized? Analyze surfaces.

6) What kind of space is used/shown? Shallow space, medium space, deep space? Why do you think the artist chose this kind of space?

7) How are light and dark used? Are shadows prominent, dominant? Or is lighting emphasized? Or are both subdued, and why?

8) Is there a focal point in the work? If so, how does the artist lead your eye to that point of emphasis? If there’s no one focus, there multiple points of focus? Why would there not be a single focal point?

9) Is there a story? If so, what is it? How is the story told?

10) What is the emotional expression of the work? How does it feel? mood? emotions of individual figures? What does the work “mean” to you?

11) How is the work characteristic of the Baroque period?

12) Finally, what attracted you to the work? What do you like about it? What do you think the artist has achieved?