EXAM study guide
As you work to develop familiarity with the works we study, you should get into the habit of committing the following items to memory:
· The culture/style/period category this means either Prehistoric; Ancient Near Eastern; Egyptian; Classical Greek; Hellenistic Greek; Gothic; Early Italian Renaissance, or such. Do not list 3 items for this designation, rather list whichever one fits for the specific work in question. For later periods, we will have category descriptions which may refer to style or culture or period. · The artist (if known) · The title of the work · The location, only for architecture, architectural decoration (not Museums) · The date (within a millennium for Prehistoric; within a century for all later than Prehistoric). Note designation of BCE, BC, CE, AD, as appropriateYou do not need to memorize the size of things, but it is a good practice to make a mental note of the size, because it is always and important factor in the visual effect which it has on the viewer.
The standard question for essays is the following:
SHORT ANSWER:
If you are given images to identify:
For each pair of images shown, select either the left or the right and circle the word showing your choice. Focusing on that work, and using the spaces provided, identify the work by artist (if known), title, date, stylistic category, and location (if architecture or architectural decoration).
Then, using complete sentences, write an essay in which you discuss significant aspects of the work. Consider how it reflects the period, place and culture in which it was produced, the purpose or occasion for its creation, characteristics of style, iconography, historical context, technique, medium/materials, or other features of art historical significance. BE SPECIFIC.
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COMPARISON AND CONTRAST:
First, identify both works in each pair you will see, as for the essays above -- by artist (if known), title, date, stylistic category, and location (if architecture or architectural decoration). Then, for each pair of images/works, write a UNIFIED essay, using complete sentences, in which you discuss the works in relationship to one another. What is the point of the comparison? Is the subject matter similar, or is there some other issue by which the two might be linked. Evaluate similarities and differences between each two. Consider purposes of each and its significance within the stylistic/historical period in which it was created. Also consider: media/material, size, style, artist, location, etc., as appropriate, with particular attention to the ways in which these features differ between these two works. Do not make lists, tick points, or write separate essays on each.
EXTRA CREDIT: There will also be an opportunity for extra credit -- most likely a diagram or an additional image from your text or the website which you may label and discuss.