First Short Assignment Due 9/24 by 23:59

Assignment 1: Visual Analysis

Please write a visual analysis of one example of the Renaissance nude in a print, drawing, or sculpture that you studied during our collection visit on 9/10. You can come back to study the artworks again. Please choose only one object and analyze it in detail. No citations. Please submit the Word file to the Assignment Tab on Moodle under the date 9/24.

Please include two components in your visual analysis:

1. Close looking: closely look at and describe the artwork.

The first component will be the main part of the essay. Please describe the artwork as closely as possible. Think about how we analyzed slides in class. Below are possible questions you may ask. Please note these are not mandatory guidelines but sample questions that could help you get started. You are welcome and encouraged to come up with your own points of analysis as well.

Sample points of analysis:

Are the figures nude, clothed, or partly clothed?

What visual effect does the medium (ink and paper, plaster cast of ivory) create?

What parts of the body are especially visible or emphasized?

How would you describe the poses and gestures? What emotions and situations do they communicate?

What do the faces, eyes, mouths, and expressions seem to communicate?

How do the muscles, skin, hair, and bodily surfaces appear?

What does the artwork make you notice first, and what do you notice only after looking longer?

2. Speculation: what do you imagine, wonder, or infer from what you see?

Please share your imagination and inquiry induced by close looking. You do not need to be correct; a successful speculation component may infer and imagine solely from the close looking. You may reflect on something beyond the artwork if that helps speculation, such as your own experience and memories or class discussions or readings. You are also welcome to disagree with or question an idea we discussed in class after looking at the artwork.

Format:

• A unique title
• Inclusion of the basic object information of author (if known), title, and date, at some point in the essay text. The list of object information with thumbnails is uploaded as a pdf on Moodle, under both dates 9/10 and 9/24. You can also look up the object info on the online catalog Triarte: https://triarte.brynmawr.edu/prt3730. Thumbnail images online are only suitable for this purpose and basic reference checks. You should view the actual object in person to complete the assignment.
• 12pt, double-spaced, 3 pages. It shouldn’t exceed 4 pages.
• You do not need to include the image. If you include one, it cannot be counted into the page length.

Others

• Since the learning goal of writing assignments in this class is experiential, AI is not allowed except basic grammar check. Even grammar check should be reviewed by the author.
• While the instructor wouldn’t assist with the writing in this course, you are welcome to reach out to our TA Nina to discuss your writing at any stage.

Grading:

The assignment will be graded based on

·       If the essay is made of two components: (1) close looking and description (2) speculation

·       If the description is precise, persuasive, and thorough

·       Overall quality of writing

·       Basic formatting

·       Again, the instructor won’t consider historical correctness when grading assignment 1. Please immerse yourself in the artwork itself and see what it speaks to you!

Appendix: Where to find your objects

Our curator stored the objects in drawers to be held there until 9/24 so that you can come back to study them while writing your assignment.

The drawers are located near the Special Collections offices on the 2^nd floor of Canaday Library. The objects are accessible during the entire opening time of the Canaday Library: https://www.brynmawr.edu/inside/offices-services/library-information-technology-services#hours

Photographs of drawers:

I have also attached a pdf list that indicates the drawer number and the object it holds.