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