Questions And Topics We Can Help You To Answer

Jean-Léon Gérôme, Prayer in the Mosque, 1871 
Paul Gauguin, Ia Orana Maria (Hail Mary), 1891 

-The purpose of this paper is to discuss in your own words the differences and similarities (if any) between these two works regarding style, content, artistic intention and historical context. Conclusions will be based on your own observations together with information that you have read about the artists and their work.  Begin the paper with general summary statements (your basic thesis or argument) and then proceed with a detailed discussion of information supporting your introductory opinions, ending the paper with a conclusion.  Be sure to italicize or underline titles of art works. 


-The following points should be covered in your paper.  It is essential that you consider the works (and the movements they represent) in relation to each other, thinking about ways in which they are different or alike: 
          1.- Based on your examination of the work, explain carefully how the images are presented.  Describe the composition, brushwork, color, spatial depth or surface pattern, and use of line. Where appropriate, discuss the various materials used. Most importantly, explain how these technical and stylistic choices help create the overall expressive effect of the painting or sculpture.  What do you think the artist was trying to communicate to the viewer?
          2.-You must also discuss the content and meaning, and how it is related to (conveyed by) the formal elements of the work. What ideas motivated and preoccupied the artists? Were they reacting against (or, alternatively, influenced by) earlier artistic movements or contemporary events? You should consider the following questions:  Did the artists have a political or social goal in mind? Were they interested in philosophy, religion, music, science, psychology, or current events? Were new materials or figural distortions a particular concern?  Were the works part of a series or related to other paintings/sculptures by the artist? Did the works represent a change in the artists’ styles?  How do the paintings/sculptures typify the movements with which they are associated? How were the works interpreted and received by critics and the public?  Have these opinions changed over time?  This part of your paper must demonstrate an understanding of the published information which you have researched.


Whenever possible, be sure to include statements by the artists themselves regarding their intentions and priorities, as well as responses by critics and historians.  Be sure to footnote all direct quotes and original ideas taken from other authors.  Above all, your paper must be written in your own words.  Remember, we are interested in how you reason about the art and how you evaluate what you read. 

You must reference at least three books for each artist. Internet sources (excluding online journals, digital archives, and the Met website), general textbook surveys, and encyclopedias are not acceptable.  

-Include footnotes and a bibliography.

Attached are the two art work's images