Format

This paper should be typed and double-spaced as a Word Doc, if possible.  (I find it easier to type comments into a Word Doc than a PDF.)  With the two-page limit, I expect your best, most polished essay style, and your best attempt to use artistic terminology.  Proofread and re-type.  In the humanities, it is difficult to separate what you say from the way you say it:  you will be graded on writing and organization as well as on the information you include.

  The artist is going to be Pablo Picasso.

First paragraph: Biographical information about the artist. This should include nationality, where the artist was born, where they studied art and with whom, other artists who influenced them, the group they were affiliated with, and any other facts about the artist’s life that seem important.  (One example is a move or a trip that influenced their work.)  Focus on information about the artist’s career rather than events in their personal life, unless an event in the artist’s personal life seems important to the artwork.

Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4:  Information about 3 works of art by the same artist.  Choose an early work, a work from the middle of the artist’s career, and a late work.  Stick with one type of art – paintings or sculptures or photographs or prints – even if your artist worked in more than one of those art forms (i.e., don’t mix and match).  Some artists changed their style a great deal; others worked in a consistent style throughout their careers.  Either scenario is fine as long as you explain it.

Each paragraph should begin with the title and date of a work of art followed by information about the subject matter and style of the work.  You could discuss things like the following:

Anything about the work that relates to the artist's life

Anything that inspired the work of art

Anything about the work that illustrates the artist's personal philosophy or interests

Anything innovative about the work of art

Anything about the work that relates to contemporary events of the time

Any interesting or “fun” facts you learn about the work

pur-new-sol

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