Comparative Visual Analysis of Medieval Manuscripts

Comparative Visual Analysis of Medieval Manuscripts Paper details: Comparative Visual Analysis of Medieval Manuscripts FORMAT INSTRUCTIONS Format: 12 pt. font; Times New Roman; 1 inch margins on each side; top and bottom, MLA Format Pages: 4-5 pages; DOUBLE-SPACED General Structure: 1. Introduction with your thesis statements 2. Supporting Paragraph(s). Each paragraph must start with a sentence that defines your discussion in the paragraph below 3. Conclusion: Not merely a summary of what you discussed above but a larger discussion of your original thesis. NOTE*: You cannot take any liberties with the format. All papers must follow the format instructions outlined above; NO EXCEPTIONS In addition to your textbook, you might find the following Getty/Khan Academy links about Medieval manuscripts useful in providing background information. Making Manuscripts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuNfdHNTv9o&feature=iv&src_vid=1aDHJu9J10o&annota tion_id=annotation_3325523639 The Structure of a Medieval Manuscript https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKBJkf2xbqI Manuscripts https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/getty-museum/gettymanuscripts/ a/manuscripts-for-devotion Your assignment is to select ONE pair of the Medieval Manuscript pages provided and write a comparative visual analysis of the manuscripts. 1. Lindisfarne Gospel Carpet Page, ca. 698 C.E. (in your textbook Fig 11-7) and Chi-Rho-Iota (XPI) page (folio 34 recto) of the Book of Kells, ca. 800 C.E. (in your textbook Fig 11-1) Also see: https://tcld.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/book-of-kells-now-free-to-viewonline/ 2. Saint Matthew from the Coronation Gospels, ca. 800 C.E. (in your textbook Fig 11-13) and Saint Matthew from Ebbo Gospels, ca. 816 C.E. (in your textbook Fig 11-14) Art 101 Research Paper: Visual Analysis Medieval Manuscripts Option #3 Due 5/8 Outline for Research Paper Due 5/15 Assignment #2 First Draft of Research Paper Due 5/22 Final Research Paper 5/29 Presentations VISUAL ANALYSIS A good way to begin looking at works of art is by comparing and contrasting what you see in a pair of images or objects. Whether you are looking at works of art, apartments, cars, clothes, whatever, comparing and contrasting sharpens your awareness of the similarities and differences. This is something you probably do all the time in order to make decisions. When looking at works of art, your aim is to understand the details of what you are seeing and to formulate ideas - ideas that can be proved by recourse to what can be seen in the image you are discussing. This assignment is primarily descriptive. Once you have chosen one of the pairs below, you might begin by contrasting the general structure of each work; the arrangement of the composition - of objects, forms, space, and lines. For example: 1. Are the principal elements of an image arranged symmetrically, centered within the composition or off to the side? How does that symmetry or asymmetry affect the over-all presentation? 2. How does each work convey its theme or subject. Consider what is emphasized and what is not. Look at the scale of figures, architecture, or landscape elements represented, as well as the relation of these elements to one another. Are figures dwarfed in relation to their settings, or do they dominate them? 3. If you are looking at a figure, is the psychology and/or social status of the subject hinted at (look at costume, gesture, facial expression, relationship to surroundings)? What is the relation of the image to the viewer/beholder (you)? Do the figures confront you or do they seem unaware of your viewing presence? These are only some of the questions to consider. Bear in mind the subject or lack of subject. Is there a narrative, a story of some kind? How is it conveyed by the formal characteristics of the work (the treatment of forms, lines, colors, composition.) In this exercise, you do not need to consider all of the questions above. Others of your own devising may be more relevant to the pairing you choose. You do need to consider at least three or four major points of comparison, and elaborate on these. Do not simply make a list of differences and similarities. Nor should you just describe one picture and then the other. Your aim is to compare them in order to explain how they work visually. Your account should be discursive and well-organized. Reminder: 1) images of human beings are referred to as “figures”; 2). please do not use “I” when writing the paper; 3) avoid passive tense; 4) DO NOT DESCRIBE, ANALYZE!