I am needing revisions made to my comparative art essay for my final project in Humanities. You will need to review the annotated document to see what improvements need to be made and also use your best judgment to improve the overall essay. Please include at least 2 additional credible citations.****Please also review the rubric to make sure that all fields are covered in the essay.****
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Artist’s Name: Jan Steen
Title: The Merry Family
Style Movement: Dutch Baroque
Date: 1668
Location: Rijksmuseum
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Artist’s Name: Vincent Van Gogh
Title: The Potatoe Eaters
Style Movement: Post-Impressionism
Date: 1885
Location: Van Gogh Museum
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Tareesa Johnson
FAS 202: Introduction to Humanities II
Southern New Hampshire University
04/06/2017
Comparative Art Essay
Introduction
Art has been used throughout time as a form of expression as well as therapeutic relief. It
is also used to immortalized cultural themes as we transition from one period to the next. In this
essay, I will be evaluating two art pieces with similar themes. The first painting that I will be
comparing is The Merry Family by Jan Steen in 1668. This depiction of a happy family meal was
created during the Dutch Baroque period using oil on canvas. It is currently located
Rijksmuseum and stands approximately 110.5 cm by 141. The second masterpiece that I will be
evaluating is The Potatoe Eaters by Vincent Van Gogh. This work was created in 1885 using the
oil on canvas method. Furthermore, this post-impressionist painting is held in the Van Gogh
Museum in the Amsterdam and measures 82 cm by 114 cm. The image shows a family of
peasants as they share a meal under dim light after a hard days work. It can be assumed that the
figures in the picture have a sorrowful look of hopeless and mistrust upon their faces. I will be
using this essay to analyze the importance of family gatherings, the symbolism of unity
represented by sharing a meal, and the impact that a family meal has on contemporary society
and art.
How the Selected Works Reflects the Social or Cultural Identity of Its Day
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Cultural or social identity is the feeling of belonging to a particular social group of
gathering that has a distinct way of life. Steen’s The Merry Family was painted during the
Baroque period which was shortly after the end of the second Anglo-Dutch War. The influence
of the social surrounding is evident throughout the painting. In the 17th century, the Dutch
society was dominated by affluent middle-class citizens. The community prided themselves on
emphasizing equality so that the differences between class, status, and income were lower than in
other countries. The people from this period were well off and often shared meals with people
that they were intimately acquainted with which included family. For example, it can be seen in
Jan Steen’s work that the figures of the image consist of both adults and children are happily
dining and drinking. Artists, such as Steen, also emphasized unity and wealth through the use of
deep, vibrant colors to show the contrast between the light and shadows. The vivid colors of
lightly worn garments show that the figures from this work can be identified with the richer
social group. This can also be determined by the bounty of foods and drinks presented in the
painting. Furthermore, the singing and dancing in the art are evidence of a happy family under a
united front. The jovial facial expressions on the faces of the figures in the art are an indication
of enjoying life (Jan). Vincent van Gogh’s The Potato Eaters shares the same theme but under a
different social and cultural pretense.
Vincent van Gogh painted his masterpiece during the Post-Impressionism period. Unlike
the artist of the Baroque period, The Potato Eaters art is a representation of the difficulty in life
that they have characters underwent. Van Gogh, used dark earthy tones to create figures that look
as if they were born from the dirt that their meal was pull from. The drab clothing and lack of a
substantial meal help to relay the feeling poverty. The limited glow illustrates the poor lighting
due to the presence of only one lamp within a frame of shadows. A view would assume that life
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is covered with mystery, and the only hope they have is that tomorrow may not be the same as
the previous day. The gazing into the air without any communication reflects on the imagination
of poverty and hopeless feeling that the figures in the art exhibit. For example, this art may be
attributed to the miseries that the Africa American faced as slaves in the 16th century in the
hands of white settlers. They may be depicted as having minimal food to feed on and lack of
freedom. The gaze in the air is a reflection of the punishment and the harassment that they got
from white settlers. However, looking closer, it can be seen from the art that family’s happiness
does not depend on the riches and music as seen in Steen’s work, but in the ability to support
each other through the hard and trying times with the use of a simple meal.
Influence of the Works on Shaping of Social or Cultural Identities
From the Merry Family, it can be seen that there are dining and drinking for both the
children and their parents. This indicates that there is a tendency of the wealthy families to dine
and wine together during celebrations. Also, it is also evident that children will do what their
parents do whether good or bad. They will always tend to emulate the behaviors exhibited by
their parents and their adults. This can be depicted from the art where children are drinking and
smoking alongside their parents. Therefore, the way a child is nurtured reflects his behavior in
the future. Maybe this could be the reason why the majority of the children from the rich social
class like partying and drinking as they grow up (Jan).
Furthermore, from The Potato Eater art, it is evident that the poor live a hard life, but not
everything is bad. It can be seen by the male gazing into the air as a sign of reflection on the
constant problems that they face, but the woman looks at him with such adoration. Often in
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society, children born from the poor social class are more of an introvert than extrovert. The poor
social class will always keep their problems to themselves and will always be viewed as unhappy
in the society. The dull colors used in the art are reflective of how unpleasant their life may turn
to be. This is the reason why you will find the majority of the poor children prefer purchasing
commodities of lower quality and they are more mindful of the quantity of a product than the
quality. This is depicted in the art from the fabrics used in the attires worn by the figures in the
picture.
Influence of the Selected Works of A Modern or Contemporary Expression of the
Identified Shared Theme
The shared theme of the two selected works on modern interpretation is depicted in the
photo of The Humans by Julieta Cervantes. Under The Humans, there is a coming together of the
members of the family for a special celebration (Desk). The Merry Family has had an influence
on The Humans in the sense that the rich social class will always celebrate their success and will
want to be associated with the success. Its celebration is characterized by plenty of wining and
dining accompanied by a variety of music. Both the children and their parents are allowed to
drink and eat together as a unified family. It is common for people in the modern world to
recognize success or an achievement through celebration. The figures in The Merry Family will
hold a celebration to be noticed by other members of the community. For example graduation
ceremony that may be held by family members to celebrate the success of their child’s for the
attainment of higher education qualifications.
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On the other hand, in The Potato Eater art has an influence on The Human in the sense
that the figures will come together to meditate on their problems and discuss on how to get a
solution to these challenges. Under this art, the meeting may not be characterized by plenty of
drinks and food but with ideas and reflection on the painful moments that the figures have
endured over a period. People in the contemporary world with similar problems, gather together
as a family to meditate on the problems they are facing and share the solutions. The meeting is to
pray for success and further changes in their lives.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, the study concludes that both the Merry Family and the
Potato Eater have an influence on the social or cultural identity of different groups in the
community. Moreover, the study concludes that the works are also necessary for the shaping of
our social or cultural identity in a variety of ways. It is, therefore, important to consider these
artworks so that an individual can determine the influence that the works have on contemporary
art of The Human.
Works Cited
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“Jan Steen (Dutch, 1626 – 1679) (Getty Museum).” The J. Paul Getty in Los Angeles,
www.getty.edu/art/collection/artists/181/jan-steen-dutch-1626-1679/. Accessed 26 Mar.
2017.
Desk, BWW News. “Photo Flash: THE HUMANS Poses for Thanksgiving Family Portrait.”
BroadwayWorld.com, BroadwayWorld.com, 24 Nov. 2016,
www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-THE-HUMANS-Poses-for-ThanksgivingFamily-Portrait-20161124#. Accessed 26 Mar. 2017.
The Merry Family – Jan Havicksz Steen – Google Arts & Culture.” Google Cultural Institute,
www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/the-merry-family/PgG66BfO4KGbiA.
Accessed 20 Mar. 2017.
FAS 202 Final Project Guidelines and Grading Guide
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a comparative art analysis essay.
The advent of postmodernism in the late twentieth century brought with it a skepticism of the cultural artifacts that preceded it. The postmodern artist
understands that art in all forms—visual, literary, musical, performance, and so on—is a manifestation of its period and that these artistic expressions endure and
continue to shape the human experience. The purpose of the final project is to demonstrate an understanding of the function of art in its specific era as well as in
contemporary times, and as an articulation of the social and cultural forces that influence the creative endeavor of the artist.
A primary method in the study of the humanities, a comparative approach, allows us to reflect on a singular element and observe both similarities and
differences. In employing a comparative approach, we begin to ask the questions necessary to come to an understanding of the objects being compared and the
conditions of their creation. We learn that each object is a product of its environment—its social, historical, and cultural climate.
For the final project, you will utilize the comparative approach to study two works of art as conveyors of meaning, capable of shaping cultural identity and our
historical understanding. Your study will focus on how your chosen works deal with their shared theme as a product of their particular time. For the final step of
your analysis, you will select an additional contemporary work from popular culture (visual artifact or social construct) and analyze that work for how it parallels
the relationship between the works you have selected.
The project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at different points in the course to scaffold learning and ensure a quality final submission.
These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three and Five. The completed final project will be submitted in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Analyze the formal characteristics and historical context of creative works from the baroque period and beyond
Analyze creative works from the baroque period and beyond for their influence on the expression of social and cultural conditions, issues, and the human
experience
Analyze the relationship between creative works from the baroque period and beyond and their historical themes and settings
Articulate well-reasoned arguments regarding the relevance and role of the humanities in contemporary culture and society
Prompt
The purpose of this final project is to evaluate your knowledge of the skills necessary for performing a visual and contextual analysis of two works and to measure
your application of these techniques as you relate the works to real-world relevance/popular culture/ideas/concepts.
Select two works from this list. The first work will be from one of the following categories: baroque, rococo, neoclassicism, or romanticism. The second will be
modern (e.g., realism, impressionism, postimpressionism), postmodern, or contemporary (1970–present). You will identify a common/shared theme (e.g., social
or cultural issue) in both works. For example, in Judith Leyster’s Self Portrait (Dutch baroque, 1630) and Frida Kahlo’s The Two Fridas (surrealism, 1939), a shared
theme is the presentation of self.
After identifying the common theme in both works, you will develop an essay that explores how each work is a product of its particular historical moment.
Finally, you will address the relevance of this shared theme in contemporary culture by choosing a third work that exemplifies this theme. This third work could
be a specific contemporary work belonging to any genre of the arts or even a contemporary social construct such as reality television or social media. For
example, you could consider the presentation of self as a relevant and recurring theme on Facebook today.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I.
Introduction
This section of the comparative analysis will introduce readers to the works you have selected to analyze.
A. For each work, identify the artist, the title (in italics), the date, the medium, the dimensions, the cultural origin or period of creation, and the
current collection.
B. What is your main argument/thesis statement about the relationship between your selected works and their shared theme?
II.
Visual and Historical Analysis
This section will provide a visual and historical analysis in which you will analyze the physical characteristics in each work as well as the connections of
each work to its historical and cultural context.
A. What formal characteristics are similar between the two works? What characteristics are different? Be sure to reference specific aspects of each
work.
B. How did each respective culture’s traditions and ideologies influence the two works you have selected? Be sure to use examples to support your
response.
C. How does each work represent its particular social, historical, and cultural climate? Be sure to use examples to support your response.
III.
Comparative Analysis
In this section, you will compare and contrast your two selected works.
A. Explain how each of your two selected works reflects the social or cultural identity of its day. Support your response with examples.
B. What influence have your two selected works had in the shaping of social or cultural identities?
C. What influence have your two selected works had on a modern or contemporary expression of the identified shared theme? Support your
response with examples.
IV.
Parallels
In this section, you will introduce a third creative work and explain how that work parallels the relationship between the two works previously selected.
A. How do the shared historical themes and settings tie your two previously selected works to your work from popular culture?
B. Discuss how the theme is still relevant today, utilizing the popular culture work you selected to support your response.
V.
Conclusion
In this section, you will discuss the relevance and value of studying works of art and cultural artifacts with regard to their influence, relevance, and impact
on modern and contemporary culture and practice.
A. What is the value of challenging perceived notions of historical, cultural, and social identity? How do the humanities, as a discipline, help us
understand this? Be sure to justify your response.
B. How does our understanding of social and cultural practices of the past impact how we conduct ourselves socially and professionally in the
present? How do the humanities, as a discipline, help us understand this? Be sure to justify your response.
C. What is the responsibility of the artist to society, especially in terms of shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world in which we live?
How do the humanities, as a discipline, help us understand this? Be sure to justify your response.
Milestones
Milestone One: Introduction (Section I)
In Module Three, you will submit your introduction to the final project. First choose a pair of works from the provided list of suggested comparisons and then
choose a contemporary work of art (or social construct) that relates thematically to the pair you chose. For each work, identify the artist, the title (in italics), the
date, the medium, the dimensions, the cultural origin or period of creation, and the current collection. Finally, formulate a main argument/thesis statement in
which you explain the relationship between your chosen works and your contemporary example. The components of this milestone will serve as the skeletal
framework of your essay and will help you develop the rest of the required elements. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Rough Draft (Sections I–IV)
In Module Five, you will submit your rough draft of Sections I–IV of the final project. Incorporate the introduction you created for Milestone One with the rest of
the required elements (except for the conclusion, which you will include in your final submission). Use the feedback from Milestone One to form a thorough
introduction. This draft should be as detailed as possible, addressing each of the following major headings: Introduction, Visual and Historical Analysis,
Comparative Analysis, and Parallels. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Final Submission: Comparative Art Analysis Essay
In Module Seven, you will submit your completed comparative art analysis essay. For this submission, you will develop your conclusion (Section V) and combine
it with Sections I–IV, revised to incorporate the instructor’s feedback. You will also apply knowledge you gained throughout the course, including feedback from
the discussion assignments and any relevant and valuable feedback you may have gained from your peers’ posts or responses. This submission will be graded
with the Final Project Rubric.
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your comparative art analysis essay must be 3 to 5 pages in length (in addition to a cover page and references) and should use 12point Times New Roman font, double spacing, and one-inch margins. It must be written in MLA format and include at least four scholarly sources, cited in MLA
format.
Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information,
review these instructions.
Critical Elements
Introduction:
Identification
Introduction: Main
Argument/Thesis
Exemplary
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
makes especially clear
connections between the main
argument/thesis statement, the
selected works, and the chosen
theme (100%)
Proficient
Comprehensively identifies both
works, including the artist, title,
date, medium, dimensions,
cultural origin or period of
creation, and current collection
(100%)
Discusses the main
argument/thesis statement
about the relationship between
selected works and the chosen
social or cultural issue (85%)
Needs Improvement
Not Evident
Identifies both works, but
Does not identify both works
response does not cover all
(0%)
elements specified in the prompt
(55%)
Discusses the main
argument/thesis statement
about the relationship between
selected works and the chosen
social or cultural issue, but
discussion is cursory or illogical
(55%)
Does not discuss the main
argument/thesis statement
about the relationship between
selected works and the chosen
social or cultural issue (0%)
Value
5.94
7.92
Visual and Historical
Analysis:
Characteristics
Meets “Profici …
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