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