ART HISTORY 305 MUSEUM PAPER FALL 2015
Visit the Getty Center, the Norton Simon, MOCA or LACMA.
YOU MUST GO TO ONE OF THESE MUSEUMS IN PERSON.
You will want to bring this sheet of the museum paper instructions with you to the
museum so that you won’t forget to list any of the details that I mention here.
1. Select one work of art to write about. It can be something that strikes you as
beautiful, interesting or thought provoking, and hopefully something that spurs
thought about another work of art that you have seen in your online text.
2. In your own words, describe the work of art in detail. Describe the gallery
setting in detail and how the object is presented in the museum setting. For
example, is it in a case or on a pedestal? Does the object look different in natural
light? Mention how it relates to the other objects around it, and describe the
surrounding objects carefully, as they are all related in the room’s thematic
display. Name at least three other nearby artworks carefully. Be careful to list the
date of all artworks discussed.
3. Compare the work of art that you choose at the museum to something that you
can see is very similar or very different from the text. Again, that’s just one
artwork from the museum, one from the text. This means that you will write a
comparison of the work in the museum to an object in the text, noting stylistic
differences or similarities between the two, or perhaps a common subject matter,
or a very different use of color or style (artistic technique) between the two works.
You might want to get my advice on your selections to be sure that you’re on the
right track. Email me with a few museum picks and text comparisons, and I’ll
steer you in the right direction.
4. Discuss the functions of your two chosen works of art, their methods of creation,
and focus on what is important or historical about them. Discuss how your
selections reflect the culture and the time in which they were created. This means
that you must include quite a bit of history about the country/region that it was
created in, and a “taste” of the times (was it made during a period of war, famine,
artistic rebirth, etc.)
5. In addition, provide at least one paragraph in which you give a personal response
to the artwork that you saw at the museum. Discuss your reaction to seeing it in
person compared to the experience of viewing images in reproduction. Discuss
any emotional response you may have to the work.
6. Do additional research on your artwork. Include information about the stylistic
movement that your artwork is identified with (Impressionism, Pop Art, the
Baroque, etc.) This is an exercise in viewing art, and understanding its context.
7. All references must be documented with proper citations. That includes museum
placards, the textbook, my notes, or any other written sources such as journals,
websites or books. Also provide a bibliography, and format it in Chicago style.
If you are unsure how to footnote, just Google “Chicago Footnotes” or “Chicago
bibliography,” and numerous help sites will appear.
8. All papers must include a cover page, page numbers, an introduction, subsequent
paragraphs, and a conclusion. Do not title all of the parts of your paper separately,
but write your paper as one continuous exploration of your subject.
9. Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, and in Times New Roman in size 12
font. Please proofread your paper carefully.
10. Your museum paper MUST be at least 4 pages in length. If it is 3.75 you will
receive no credit for this assignment. This 4 page length refers to the text
only, and does not include your cover page, an illustrations page or
bibliography.