• CO2: Identify major artists and their time periods in Western and Non-Western art.
• CO3: Interpret art terminology in relationship to works of art.
• CO4: Describe major works of art. 

DESCRIPTION:

This discussion forum assignment is designed to help you master the careful reading of sources about art images and to help you apply the basic vocabulary of analyzing and interpreting artwork. Choose only 1 of the 2 works of art below. Using your course lesson readings and completing additional research, fully follow the steps outlined and respond with your initial post. Include links to any research references you used. Then, read your classmates’ and instructor’s postings and respond to at least 2 other students. In your peer responses, use the strategies described in the Discussion Guidelines.

W2: Reading Masterpieces in Art: Goya and Manet

Contains unread postsMust post first.

Course Objective(s): 

• CO2: Identify major artists and their time periods in Western and Non-Western art.
• CO3: Interpret art terminology in relationship to works of art.
• CO4: Describe major works of art. 

DESCRIPTION:

This discussion forum assignment is designed to help you master the careful reading of sources about art images and to help you apply the basic vocabulary of analyzing and interpreting artwork. Choose only 1 of the 2 works of art below. Using your course lesson readings and completing additional research, fully follow the steps outlined and respond with your initial post. Include links to any research references you used. Then, read your classmates’ and instructor’s postings and respond to at least 2 other students. In your peer responses, use the strategies described in the Discussion Guidelines.

Choose one painting: 

Choice #1. Francisco de Goya, The Third of May, 1808, created in 1814-15. The original painting, which currently hangs in the Prado museum, is very large (about 10 x 14 feet), and it was painted in 1814-15. It depicts the invasion by the French army into Spain in the early 1800s. Imagine you are looking at this painting while visiting the Prado Museum in Spain.  Consider what the size of the painting means or does for/to the viewer. 

Choice #2: Edouard Manet, A Bar at the Folies-Bergere, 1881-82. It is 37 1/4″ X 51 1/4″ and is considered his last masterpiece. Manet was the first true modern artist, painting scenes from contemporary life, not history, Biblical or mythological scenes. This is a painting that represents modern nightlife in Paris. Examine this painting and discuss the unusual components of the work. You should search for the “Folies-Bergere” before you start, so that you know what the scene is about. Consider what the size of the painting means or does for/to the viewer.

After you’ve chosen the artwork, do the following:

• Slow down and really look at the painting you’ve chosen after you have completed the week’s lesson.  
• Read about the painting, finding websites that have reliable information.
• Develop your initial post as a letter to a friend who has never seen the painting and does not have a copy of it before them. In your letter describe what the painting looks like using some of the Formal Analysis terms
• In your letter, also discuss what the painting communicates to you personally based on what you see and the research information you found on the painting. 
• List the research source(s) at the end of your post. 
• When replying to your peers, use appropriate terminology based on this week’s lesson and vocabulary and any additional information you’ve found. 

For general tips on approaching art and formatting assignments, review the Guide to Writing about Art and General Rules for Art History Assignments. 

To get the highest grade possible, please review and follow the Discussion Guidelines & Grading Rubric.