For the purposes of this assignment, imagine that you are an art historian who has been hired by UMUC to produce a course module for History of Western Art I. For your module, you must compare two works of art (selected from a prepared list).
Your case studies and comparison must have the same organization as the modules published in this course. Examples of modules include
“Representing the Ancient Gods” in Week 3 Content;
“Case Study: Spoils of Jerusalem and Triumph of Titus from the Arch of Titus (Rome)” in Week 4 Content;
“Case Study: Justinian, Bishop Maximianus, and Attendants and Theodora and Attendants from San Vitale (Ravenna)” in Week 4 Content;
“Art of Architecture and the Book: The Medieval Message” in Week 6 Content.
You must follow the following schedule in submitting your case studies throughout the term. You must submit each section on the due date in order to receive full points.
Stage 1: Overview
Include the following:
the works of art you chose for your case studies
an explanation of why you chose these works, with a summary of the comparison you wish to make
your proposed topics for two “Spotlight on …” features for each work of art you are discussing—These features will be modeled on the “Spotlight on …” boxes in the course modules. You must have one “Spotlight on Style” feature, but the second may be focused on a topic of your choice that enriches your case study.
at least two sources you have consulted, with a few sentences on their content
You are also required to comment with substantive remarks on the submissions of at least two other students. Submit this by the end of week 2 (May 31) to the appropriate discussion area (5 points).
Stages 2 and 3: Case Studies 1 and 2 Drafts
In weeks 3 and 4, you will submit your case study drafts. The case studies should be organized as follows:
1. discussion and analysis of subject and symbolism
2. analysis of style
3. table of visual/formal elements as found in the course modules\
4. description of size, media, patronage, and location
Submit the drafts to the Assignments section in LEO (4 points for each case study draft).
Stage 4: Context
Submit discussions of the historical, political, and social conditions that affected the works of art in your case studies in terms of subject and style. Submit the two context sections by the end of week 5 to the Assignments section in LEO (5 points).
Stage 5: Comparison
Discuss and analyze what can be learned from a comparison of the artworks in your case studies. You may discuss similarities and differences in style; treatment of subject, media, and techniques; cross-influences; and the historical, social, and political contexts of the works. Submit this by the end of week 6 to the Assignments section in LEO (5 points).
Stage 6: Image Credits and References
These are the lists of the images you are using and your sources of information (which may change as you complete the project). Provide references for at least six scholarly sources. One of these may be the textbook. No more than two may be websites. The websites must be appropriate for academic research. Museum sites are allowed, for example, but although you may find Wikipedia helpful, it is not considered a valid scholarly source. The references can be in any style I recommend. Submit the credits and references by the end of week 7 to the Assignments section in LEO (2 points).
Stage 7: Completed Project
By the end of week 8, you will submit the final project formatted similarly to the example course modules and in MLA style with all references included both in-text and in a references section. Submit this to the Assignments section in LEO (15 points).
hoose the topics of your case study from the following pairs.
1. Two Greek Statues
Kouros (young male), ca. 590–580 BCE; Archaic Greek, marble, Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Diadoumenos (youth tying a fillet around his head), ca. 69–96 CE, Roman copy of a Greek bronze statue by Polykleitos, ca. 430 BCE, marble. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2. Two Statues of Athletes
Discobolus (Discus-Thrower), Roman copy of a bronze original of the 5th century BCE. This link is to the statue in the British Museum. There are other Roman copies in other museums, such as the National Museum in Rome. You can write about the Roman copy in the British Museum or another Roman copy; just make it clear which one you are discussing.
Seated Boxer, (ca. 100-50 BCE), bronze, from Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.
3. Two Paintings
Berlinghieri, St. Francis, 1235 BCE, tempera on wood
Giotto, Lamentation, 1304-13 BCE, fresco
4. Two Roman Wall Paintings
Roman Wall Painting, Fourth Style: The Ixion Room, House of the Vettii, Pompeii, circa 70 – 79 CE. Scroll down to see the image; the Ixion Room is the last image on the page, under the heading “Fourth Pompeian Style.”
Roman Wall Painting, Third Style: Aedicula with small landscape: From the “Black Room” of the Imperial Villa at Boscotrecase, last decade of 1st century B.C., Metropolitan Museum.