Analyzing Materials and the Visual Culture of Antiquity

Analyzing Materials and the Visual Culture of Antiquity
This assignment is divided into two parts:
Part 1: You are to analyze and critique ONE of the articles listed.
a. J. J. Pollitt’s Art and Experience in Classical Greece “The World Under Control: The Classical Moment, c.450-430 BCE”
b. Eve D’Ambra, Roman Art “The City and Urban Space”
• In presenting the article you will need to provide a detailed discussion, which includes the author’s thesis, and what you feel are other significant points of observation. You should quote from the article a minimum of four (4) times to highlight your analysis.
• Your presentation of the article must also include a critical paragraph; in this must include what you feel is positive as well as negative about it. Consider such elements as the plausibility of the author’s thesis, the organization of the article, etc.
Part 2: You are to select an artwork or monument from one of the following civilizations, which you believe also relates to the assigned theme.
• Rome (Republic; Empire)
• Late Antiquity (Judaism; Early Christianity)
• Byzantium
• Early Medieval Europe
• Romanesque
After selecting a work, you are to provide an analysis in which you argue it as reflective of the “recycling” or adaptation of earlier visual forms to send a particular message to a unique audience. For example, the Romans took visual “cues’ from both the Greeks and the Etruscans in design of their temples in order to promote their far-reaching power, and the portrayal of imperial majesty in Rome was co-opted in portraits of Christ to communicate his universal authority.
Important: For this assignment, you are composing a formal essay: your paper should have an introduction, body and conclusion. For help with this assignment, you may wish to consult the College’s Writing Center.
Outside information that you quote directly or information that is not “common knowledge” (what you glean from the museum, your textbook and class lectures) must be cited in the proper MLA format. The mere inclusion of a “Works Cited” page or bibliography is not acceptable. Failure to include citations within the body of your paper will result in a failing grade for this assignment. For instruction on formatting: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/).
Be familiar with the college’s plagiarism policy while writing your paper. For guidance, review this site: https://www.lavc.edu/virtualvalley/plagiarism.html