Assignments, Art 254

You are required to do the FIRST paper, and ANY TWO others during the semester. You may negotiate to rewrite or replace ONE existing paper to improve its grade. If you would like notes to help with paper preparation, please ask for them. You must do the first paper yourself, but if you would like a brainstorming session to kickstart a stuck paper later in the semester, please make an appointment. You may do this ONCE, and you are required to bring your own first efforts at a plan to the appointment. E-mail me any time to clarify the assignments.

Also, note the following specific requirements:

• All assignments word-processed.

• All assignments quoted in full on a cover page or at the beginning of the paper. NO substitute titles!

• All assignments to have bibliography or reference list at end. Three to five works, minimum.

• Full Papers: 1500-2000 words. Use the computer's word count application and give the word count after the conclusion.

• Paper Plans: 300-650 words. USE SHORT NOTES! Give word count after the conclusion.

• Paper Plans: assume completed paper will be 1500-2000 words long. Give planned word allowance for introduction, each main point, and conclusion.

Tips

• Each paper is designed to draw your attention to a particular aspect of the course. Therefore, make sure you write a DIFFERENT response to each paper.

• You may use the same examples in more than one paper, but you should be saying something different about them.

• Use the Grading Policy as a checklist to make sure you have covered everything necessary.

DISCUSSION # 1 (Section I), (Paper Assignment)

This period is often described as the "Heroic Period" of the Renaissance. Using examples of architecture, painting and sculpture from this section, explain what "Heroism" seems to mean in this context. Are there any examples in this section which do NOT seem Heroic to you? If so, give your reasons.

DISCUSSION # 2 (Sections II and III), (Paper Plan)

In your opinion, were the Italian artists aware of artistic developments on the other side of the Alps? If so, what did they imitate, and what might they have hoped to achieve by it? Illustrate your answer with FOUR Italian examples, and mention as many Flemish ones as you consider necessary.

DISCUSSION # 3 (Section IV), (Paper Plan)

If Central Italian art tends to appeal to the intellect, what does Northern Italian art tend to appeal to, and how does it set about this? Consider sacred and secular art, and public and private art.

DISCUSSION # 4 (Section V), (Paper Plan)

Choose ONE example by each artist to represent the High Renaissance, giving your reasons. Are there any examples in this Section that you would reject? Again, give your reasons. So, how do you define the High Renaissance?

DISCUSSION #5 (Sections VI and VII), (Paper Plan)

Whose canon were the Central Italian Mannerists challenging? Why do you think this was necessary? Can you identify and explain the Maniera? What were the Venetian Mannerists doing?

FINAL EXAM (whole course), (Take-Home Paper Plan and Full Paper)

Do you think the concept of Classical Beauty was exhausted by the end of the Renaissance? Do you see anything coming in to replace it and, if so, what new possibilities and problems does it bring with it?