Last Summer Assignment 2012

Hello!

This is the last summer assignment and will be turned in on paper typed, on Tuesday, September 4th in class.

Write a comparison between:

• Raphael, The Deposition of Christ, Gospels Page 327

• Caravaggio, Deposition in the Sepulchre, Gospels Page 328

Some Notes:

• There are two techniques we'll practice in writing comparisons:
• "Lumping"
• With this method, you basically just write a full analysis of one work followed by a full analysis of the other work.  You make almost all direct comparisons when discussing the second work. Your paragraphs/sections are divided by which work you're talking about.
• "Splitting"
• In this technique you talk about both works simultaneously highlight different features and making direct comparisons between them.  Your paragraphs/sections are divided by features such as composition, space, etc.
• You can use either method for this essay.
• You should use primarily formal analysis, but subject can be important.
• There is no length requirement, but be as thorough as possible!
• Describing the artists/periods is key in this comparison. This will help you comprehend the differences in the formal elements of these two works. Do some research!

Email me any questions. Good luck and congratulations for sticking it out this summer! See you all soon :)

Sincerely,
Mr. Clarke

Assignments Update

Hello everyone,

Thank you to everyone who made the first deadline on time. 

Below I have posted your next assignment.  This is essentially the second half of the work you have already begun. In the next few days I will email you back your first assignment with my notes. Please review them and use them to guide you in your next assignment due August 24th.

In about a week I will post your last summer assignment, an essay due on September 4th. 

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Mr. Clarke

Third Assignment 2012-2013

This assignment is due by Friday August 24th at Midnight emailed to me at christopher.clarke@redclay.k12.de.us

READING

In "Learning to Look at Paintings", read:

Chapter 4: Tone
Chapter 5: Colour
Chapter 6: Subject-matter

In "Gospel Figures in Art", read pages 167-375 (many pages are just pictures)
In "Gods and Heroes in Art", read pages 189-375 (many pages are just pictures)

WRITING

This assignment will be more practice in formal analysis of works.

Choose 4 works from your reading in "Gods" or "Gospels" and write an analysis of each based on the "Learning to Look at Paintings" chapter on TONE (Pages 88-117).

Choose 4 works from your reading in "Gods" or "Gospels" and write an analysis of each based on the "Learning to Look at Paintings" chapter on COLOUR (Pages 118-134).

Choose 4 works from your reading in "Gods" or "Gospels" and write an analysis of each based on the "Learning to Look at Paintings" chapter on SUBJECT MATTER (Pages 135-174).

The instructions for the writing component are the exact same as the first major assignment. Don't forget that I will be assessing you based on the Gods, Gospels, and Writing about Art Readings when we return to school, so make sure you get them done before then! After this assignment there is only an essay left to complete for summer work, hopefully that is somewhat encouraging. Make sure you ask questions if you need help with anything! Good luck!

Sincerely,
Mr. Clarke

2012 AP Scores Are In!

Another great year!

Class Average: 4.0
Three 5's!
Four 4's!
Three 3's!

Cumulatively, 77% of all my AH students have scored a four or higher.  Very proud of you all.

Sincerely,
Mr. Clarke

p.s. 2013 class, carry on the legacy, you can do it :)

Sample Formal Analysis

This is what one analysis should look like. Note the use of comparison to works in Learning to Look at Paintings and incorporation of chapter content such as "orthogonals."

Giorgione, The Adoration of the Shepherds from Gospels Pg. 81 for Chapter 2: Space

In The Adoration of the Shepherds, Giorgione uses a variety of techniques to achieve spatial illusion. He utilizes single viewpoint two-point linear perspective to give the painting depth. The assumed orthogonals run from the center of the work where the shepherds are standing to two separate vanishing points. One of these vanishing points can be found on the horizon by the mountains to the far left, while the other occurs somewhere within the cave to the right. At first glance everything seems mathematically proportionate, but closer examination reveals that the figures in the middle ground do not appear to be consistent with the assumed orthogonals running through the work. Instead, they appear much smaller than they should when compared with the figures in the foreground. Adoration looks even less spatially convincing when compared to School of Athens on Pg. 34 of Learning to Look at Paintings, in which Raphael carefully represents the figures in different sizes corresponding to the geometrical organization of the painting.
In addition to this somewhat imperfect linear perspective, Giorgione also uses aerial perspective to convey depth. He does this by painting the houses, foliage, and mountains in far less detail than the subjects in the foreground, such as Mary's robe. He also uses cooler blues and greens in the background, which tend to recede from the viewer and contribute to the illusion of distance. This contrasts the reds and browns found in the foreground and middle ground which catch the viewer's eye and appear closer. Unlike Millet's The Gleaners on Page 44, Giorgione does not ignore the middle distance but instead calls our attention to it by placing structures and figures within it. The viewer's gaze begins on the figures in the foreground and drifts slowly back to the left through the middle ground and into the distance with the mountains and sky.

Remember, ask any and all questions you have and do your best work! Good luck!

Sincerely,
Mr. Clarke

2012-2013 Second Assignment

This assignment is due by Sunday July 29th at Midnight emailed to me at christopher.clarke@redclay.k12.de.us

READING

In "Learning to Look at Paintings", read:

Chapter 1: Composition
Chapter 2: Space
Chapter 3: Form

In "Gospel Figures in Art", read pages 1-165 (many pages are just pictures)
In "Gods and Heroes in Art", read pages 1-188 (many pages are just pictures)

WRITING

This assignment will be practice in formal analysis of works.

Choose 4 works from your reading in "Gods" or "Gospels" and write an analysis of each based on the "Learning to Look at Paintings" chapter on COMPOSITION (Pages 1-28).

Choose 4 works from your reading in "Gods" or "Gospels" and write an analysis of each based on the "Learning to Look at Paintings" chapter on SPACE (Pages 29-55).

Choose 4 works from your reading in "Gods" or "Gospels" and write an analysis of each based on the "Learning to Look at Paintings" chapter on FORM (Pages 56-87).

Each analysis should be 1-2 paragraphs in length. List the work and page # at the top of each analysis (ex. Anthony van Dyck, Flagellation, 1620. Pg. 277 in Gospels). In each analysis compare/contrast the work to the ones listed as examples in that chapter and the other 3 works you are analyzing. Analyze only the qualities from that chapter! (Ex. If you are writing using the FORM chapter don't talk about the subject matter of the work...) Correct spelling and grammar will be expected on the AP test and for all assignments in this course. Proffread everthing ;)

I will post an example paragraph to help guide you. Email me or post on the blog any questions you have! Feel free to turn in your work before the due date as well.  Once I get your work, I'll create notes and send it back to you so your next assignment can be even better.  Do your best! Good luck!

Sincerely,
Mr. Clarke

First Assignment 2012-2013

Hello everyone!

For your first easy assignment, comment on this post with the following:

Your name.
Your status in acquiring the textbooks.
Your experience (or lack of) with the visual arts.
What you hope to learn from this class.

Do this by Monday 6/25 to avoid getting an email from me checking up on you.

Your first real assignment will be posted on that Monday as well, so check back or follow this blog.

Thanks!


Sincerely,
Mr. Clarke

2012-2013 AP Art History Welcome and Summer Assignments

Welcome to AP Art History! In this course we will cover everything from prehistoric sculptures and cave paintings to modern art, all before the AP Exam on Tuesday May 7, 2013. Because of the volume of material we must cover in such short period of time, getting a head start over the summer will be vital to your success next year. The assigned books for the summer coursework are:

Learning to Look at Paintings, Mary Acton, 2nd Edition, ISBN 0415435188
This book discusses how to analyze paintings using formal analysis. It will be particularly useful to students without a background in visual arts, however even those trained in visual arts will benefit from it as well.

Gospel Figures in Art, Stefano Zuffi, ISBN 089236727X
This book will be very useful when while we study Christian art (which is about half the year). It breaks down various chapters of the New Testament, highlighting key figures and events. It also seeks to explain the various Christian imagery and symbolism that appears throughout religious art. You will be tested on this material in the first week of school.

 Gods and Heroes in Art, Lucia Impelluso, ISBN 0892367024 This book is basically a who's who of Greek and Roman gods, philosophers, politicians, and heroes. It gives each character a profile and several examples of their appearances in art throughout the ancient world and neoclassical revivals. You will be tested on this material in the first week of school.

You are responsible for acquiring all three of the books listed above. The best option is to contact a student from last year's course and buy from them. You could also use EBay or Half.com, or you could go a library. You will be assigned readings, essays, and other work over the summer to prepare for this course. All assignments can be found at http://clarkeaparthistory.blogspot.com/. It is your responsibility to check the site at least once a week for new assignments. All summer assignments must be typed and emailed to me at christopher.clarke@redclay.k12.de.us by midnight on the due date unless otherwise specified (blog assignments, etc). I recommend creating an account and "following" my blog. This course will be challenging and require a great deal of commitment for both you and me. This summer work may seem intense now but practice in formal analysis and writing about art, as well as becoming familiar with Greco-Roman and Christian themes will make the school year MUCH easier for you. The summer coursework can seem daunting. However, if you are dedicated and up to the challenge, it will be a rewarding and fun course that could earn you college credit! I promise to do my best work this year and I expect the same from you in return.

Sincerely, Mr. Clarke