Art 11

Formal Analysis Writing Assignment #1

This assignment is meant to get you started thinking about your final paper, using formal
vocabulary, and improving your writing skills.

Below is a list of three works of art located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Please
look at each one on the museum website, and then select one to write about. To see them
go to: www.metmuseum.org

Write a three-paragraph essay (in Times New Roman, 12 point font and one-inch margins)
in which you

a) introduce the work (give basic physical data like its name, date, and size)
b) formally describe what you see and what it could mean (just describe the
appearance)
c) summarize your comments and make concluding remarks (this is a good place to
compare it to things seen in class, or give your opinion of it)

The objective of this assignment is to develop your ability to formally analyze visual art and
improve your mastery of the vocabulary.

SOME OF THE FORMAL ELEMENTS (see Chapter 2 of your textbook):

 LINE

 SHAPE

 COLOR

 LIGHT

 TEXTURE

 SPACE

 MASS/VOLUME

Stela of Mentuwoser: From the museum’s homepage, click on “curatorial departments”

(on the left). Click on “Egyptian Art,” and then on “collection highlights.” This work can be
found in the list of collection highlights

Wall Painting with Polyphemus and Galatea: From the museum’s homepage, click on
“curatorial departments” (on the left). Click on “Greek and Roman Art,” and then on
“collection highlights.” This work can be found in the list of collection highlights.
Mihrab: From the museum’s homepage, click on “curatorial departments” (on the left).
Click on “Islamic Art,” and then on “collection highlights.” This works can be found in the
list of collection highlights.