Sculpture Analysis Essay
Description: 75 points For this assignment, you will analyze ONE work of sculpture from the time period and cultures covered in Part I, Chapters 1-3 and post your analysis on Blackboard.Your analysis should take the form of a typed essay and should be two-to-three pages in length, or between 650-1250 words. Use an essay format with paragraphs, including an introduction, body, and conclusion. All sources used must be documented correctly using MLA citation. Essays must be submitted electronically through Blackboard so that they can be submitted to Safe Assign to check for plagiarism. Review: We have discussed how to analyze sculpture in class. You can review the slide presentation used during the lecture here.
You can learn more about sculpture and its basic elements by watching the video found here.
Choosing a Sculpture: Next, if you have not already done so, you will need to choose the sculpture from the ancient time period that you will be writing about in your analysis. You may select a sculpture from the textbook or one that is from the appropriate cultures discussed in Chapters 1-3. Ancient history traditionally covers all continents inhabited by humans from the Paleolithic era to the Roman Empire time period. So you are looking for a sculpture created between 40,000 B.C.E. – 337 C.E. Some of the major sculptures of that time period include the Venus of Willendorf, Victory Stele of Naram-Sin, Akhenaten & his family, Nefertiti, Tutankhamen, Kouros, Doryphoros Spear-Bearer, Aphrodite of Knidos, Laocoӧn and his sons, Ara Pacis, Capitoline She-Wolf, Column of Trajan, Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor Caracalla, and Constantine I. You do not have to select one of these sculptures, they are just to give you a starting point.
Critique the Sculpture: Next, you want to apply the steps of art criticism to the sculpture you have chosen. This consists of FOUR main sections:
1) Description
2) Analysis,
3) Interpretation
4) Judgment.
DESCRIPTION:
What is its title? What, if any, significance is given to the title? Who was the artist? Does it still exist? What are its dimensions? Where is it currently located? What is its condition?
When was it composed? What does it look like? What process was used to make it? What type of sculpture is it relief/free-standing? What material(s) is it made of (medium/media)?
Describe the formal elements of art as they are used in this piece: line, shape, form, space, color, value, and texture.
ANALYSIS: Address the relationships among the elements and principles used in the sculpture. How do they work together to create an affect? Instead of describing the elements – which you should have done above – here you focus on the effect the elements create.
Dimensionality: What is the dimensionality of the work? How does it contribute to the work’s overall design and effect?
Method of execution: What method of execution has the artist employed? How does the material used by the artist in this work relate to the method of execution the artist has chosen?
Mass: In what ways does the mass of the work contribute to its overall appearance and appeal?
Line and form: How has the artist utilized line and form? How do the line and form of the work contribute to the overall composition and appeal of the work?
Texture: In what ways does the texture of the work create an intellectual or emotional appeal to the viewer?
Repetition: How do rhythm, harmony, and variety contribute to the overall composition of this work?
Articulation: How has the artist articulated the various parts of the work to create eye movement from one element to another?
Focal Area: What elements has the artist utilized to create areas of interest?
INTERPRETATION:Meaning – Use the evidence you gathered for the categories of Description and Analysis to figure out a meaning of the sculpture to you.
What do you think the artist wants you to think about? Why?
What is the meaning of the work? What is its content, as opposed to its subject matter?
What is the mood of the piece (calm, violent, sad, joyful, angry, hopeful, etc.)? Why?
What is the artist saying? Does the work seem to have personal meaning to the artist—that is, is it biographical? Is the work a political or social commentary?
Why do you think that / What are your reasons for that interpretation?
What was the sculpture’s purpose? Is there some larger philosophical, historical, or social context that informs the work?
To what extent does the sculpture reflect the artistic style of the period in which it was constructed? How do you know this?
JUDGMENT: Forming an evaluation/opinion.
Is it a quality piece of art? Why? What makes this an effective sculpture (or not)? What do you think and why?
How does it compare to similar works?
What is the best part of the work? What are its strengths? Why?
What are the weaknesses of the piece? Why?
Would different people view the work differently? How so? Why?
Is the artist successful? Why?
Is it saying what the artist intended it to say? Is the work successful? Do you like it?