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Writing Essays in Art History

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Art History Analysis – Formal Analysis and Stylistic Analysis

Typically in an art history class the main essay students will need to write for a final paper or for an exam is a formal or stylistic analysis.

A formal analysis is just what it sounds like – you need to analyze the form of the artwork. This includes the individual design elements – composition, color, line, texture, scale, contrast, etc. Questions to consider in a formal analysis is how do all these elements come together to create this work of art? Think of formal analysis in relation to literature – authors give descriptions of characters or places through the written word. How does an artist convey this same information?

Organize your information and focus on each feature before moving onto the text – it is not ideal to discuss color and jump from line to then in the conclusion discuss color again. First summarize the overall appearance of the work of art – is this a painting? Does the artist use only dark colors? Why heavy brushstrokes? etc and then discuss details of the object – this specific animal is gray, the sky is missing a moon, etc. Again, it is best to be organized and focused in your writing – if you discuss the animals and then the individuals and go back to the animals you run the risk of making your writing unorganized and hard to read. It is also ideal to discuss the focal of the piece – what is in the center? What stands out the most in the piece or takes up most of the composition?

A stylistic approach can be described as an indicator of unique characteristics that analyzes and uses the formal elements (2-D: Line, color, value, shape and 3-D all of those and mass).The point of style is to see all the commonalities in a person’s works, such as the use of paint and brush strokes in Van Gogh’s work. Style can distinguish an artist’s work from others and within their own timeline, geographical regions, etc.

Methods & Theories To Consider:

Expressionism

Instructuralism

Postmodernism

Social Art History

Biographical Approach

Poststructuralism

Museum Studies

Visual Cultural Studies

Stylistic Analysis Example:

The following is a brief stylistic analysis of two Greek statues, an example of how style has changed because of the “essence of the age.” Over the years, sculptures of women started off as being plain and fully clothed with no distinct features, to the beautiful Venus/Aphrodite figures most people recognize today. In the mid-seventh century to the early fifth, life-sized standing marble statues of young women, often elaborately dress in gaily painted garments were created known as korai. The earliest korai is a Naxian women to Artemis. The statue wears a tight-fitted, belted peplos, giving the body a very plain look. The earliest korai wore the simpler Dorian peplos, which was a heavy woolen garment. From about 530, most wear a thinner, more elaborate, and brightly painted Ionic linen and himation. A largely contrasting Greek statue to the korai is the Venus de Milo. The Venus from head to toe is six feet seven inches tall. Her hips suggest that she has had several children. Though her body shows to be heavy, she still seems to almost be weightless. Viewing the Venus de Milo, she changes from side to side. From her right side she seems almost like a pillar and her leg bears most of the weight. She seems be firmly planted into the earth, and since she is looking at the left, her big features such as her waist define her. The Venus de Milo had a band around her right bicep. She had earrings that were brutally stolen, ripping her ears away. Venus was noted for loving necklaces, so it is very possibly she would have had one. It is also possible she had a tiara and bracelets. Venus was normally defined as “golden,” so her hair would have been painted. Two statues in the same region, have throughout history, changed in their style.

Compare and Contrast Essay

Most introductory art history classes will ask students to write a compare and contrast essay about two pieces – examples include comparing and contrasting a medieval to a renaissance painting. It is always best to start with smaller comparisons between the two works of art such as the medium of the piece. Then the comparison can include attention to detail so use of color, subject matter, or iconography. Do the same for contrasting the two pieces – start small. After the foundation is set move on to the analysis and what these comparisons or contrasting material mean – ‘what is the bigger picture here?’ Consider why one artist would wish to show the same subject matter in a different way, how, when, etc are all questions to ask in the compare and contrast essay. If during an exam it would be best to quickly outline the points to make before tackling writing the essay.

Compare and Contrast Example:

Stele of Hammurabi from Susa (modern Shush, Iran), ca. 1792 – 1750 BCE, Basalt, height of stele approx. 7’ height of relief 28’

Stele, relief sculpture, Art as propaganda – Hammurabi shows that his law code is approved by the gods, depiction of land in background, Hammurabi on the same place of importance as the god, etc.

Top of this stele shows the relief image of Hammurabi receiving the law code from Shamash, god of justice, Code of Babylonian social law, only two figures shown, different area and time period, etc.

Stele of Naram-sin , Sippar Found at Susa c. 2220 - 2184 bce. Limestone, height 6'6"

Stele, relief sculpture, Example of propaganda because the ruler (like the Stele of Hammurabi) shows his power through divine authority, Naramsin is the main character due to his large size, depiction of land in background, etc.

Akkadian art, made of limestone, the stele commemorates a victory of Naramsin, multiple figures are shown specifically soldiers, different area and time period, etc.

Iconography

Regardless of what essay approach you take in class it is absolutely necessary to understand how to analyze the iconography of a work of art and to incorporate into your paper. Iconography is defined as subject matter, what the image means. For example, why do things such as a small dog in a painting in early Northern Renaissance paintings represent sexuality? Additionally, how can an individual perhaps identify these motifs that keep coming up?

The following is a list of symbols and their meaning in Marriage a la Mode by William Hogarth (1743) that is a series of six paintings that show the story of marriage in Hogarth’s eyes.

• Man has pockets turned out symbolizing he has lost money and was recently in a fight by the state of his clothes.
• Lap dog shows loyalty but sniffs at woman’s hat in the husband’s pocket showing sexual exploits.
• Black dot on husband’s neck believed to be symbol of syphilis.
• Mantel full of ugly Chinese porcelain statues symbolizing that the couple has no class.
• Butler had to go pay bills, you can tell this by the distasteful look on his face and that his pockets are stuffed with bills and papers.
• Card game just finished up, women has directions to game under foot, shows her easily cheating nature.
• Paintings of saints line a wall of the background room, isolated from the living, shows the couple’s complete disregard to faith and religion.
• The dangers of sexual excess are underscored in the Hograth by placing Cupid among ruins, foreshadowing the inevitable ruin of the marriage.
• Eventually the series (other five paintings) shows that the woman has an affair, the men duel and die, the woman hangs herself and the father takes her ring off her finger symbolizing the one thing he could salvage from the marriage.

ARTS - Herzberg: Writing Essays About Art

• Art History
• Current Artists and Events
• Local Art Venues
• Video and Image Resources
• Writing Essays About Art
• Citation Help

What is a Compare and Contrast Essay?

What is a compare / contrast essay.

In Art History and Appreciation, contrast / compare essays allow us to examine the features of two or more artworks.

• Comparison -- points out similarities in the two artworks
• Contrast -- points out the differences in the two artworks

Why would you want to write this type of essay?

• To inform your reader about characteristics of each art piece.
• To show a relationship between different works of art.
• To give your reader an insight into the process of artistic invention.
• Use your assignment sheet from your class to find specific characteristics that your professor wants you to compare.

How is Writing a Compare / Contrast Essay in Art History Different from Other Subjects?

You should use art vocabulary to describe your subjects..

• Find art terms in your textbook or an art glossary or dictionary

You should have an image of the works you are writing about in front of you while you are writing your essay.

• The images should be of  high enough quality that you can see the small details of the works. 
• You will use them when describing visual details of each art work.

Works of art are highly influenced by the culture, historical time period and movement in which they were created.

• You should gather information about these BEFORE you start writing your essay.

If you describe a characteristic of one piece of art, you must describe how the OTHER piece of art treats that characteristic.

Example:  You are comparing a Greek amphora with a sculpture from the Tang Dynasty in China.

If you point out that the color palette of the amphora is limited to black, white and red, you must also write about the colors used in the horse sculpture.

Organizing Your Essay

Thesis statement.

The thesis for a comparison/contrast essay will present the subjects under consideration and indicate whether the focus will be on their similarities, on their differences, or both.

Thesis example using the amphora and horse sculpture -- Differences:

While they are both made from clay, the Greek amphora and the Tang Dynasty horse served completely different functions in their respective cultures.

Thesis example -- Similarities:

Ancient Greek and Tang Dynasty ceramics have more in common than most people realize.

Thesis example -- Both:

The Greek amphora and the Tang Dynasty horse were used in different ways in different parts of the world, but they have similarities that may  not be apparent to the casual viewer.

Visualizing a Compare & Contrast Essay: 

Introduction (1-2 paragraphs) .

• Creates interest in your essay
• Introduces the two art works that you will be comparing.
• States your thesis, which mentions the art works you are considering and may indicate whether the focus will be on similarities, differences, or both. 

Body paragraphs 

• Make and explain a point about the first subject and then about the second subject 
• Example: While both superheroes fight crime, their motivation is vastly different. Superman is an idealist, who fights for justice …… while Batman is out for vengeance. 

Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs) 

• Provides a satisfying finish 
• Leaves your reader with a strong final impression. 

Downloadable Essay Guide

• How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay in Art History Downloadable version of the description on this LibGuide.

Questions to Ask Yourself After You Have Finished Your Essay

• Are all the important points of comparison or contrast included and explained in enough detail?
• Have you addressed all points that your professor specified in your assignment?
• Do you use transitions to connect your arguments so that your essay flows into a coherent whole, rather than just a random collection of statements?
• Do your arguments support your thesis statement?

Art Terminology

• British National Gallery: Art Glossary Includes entries on artists, art movements, techniques, etc.

Lee College Writing Center

Writing Center tutors can help you with any writing assignment for any class from the time you receive the assignment instructions until you turn it in, including:

• Brainstorming ideas
• MLA / APA formats
• Grammar and paragraph unity
• Thesis statements
• Second set of eyes before turning in

Contact a tutor:

• Phone: 281-425-6534
• Email:  w [email protected]
• Schedule a web appointment: https://lee.mywconline.com/

Other Compare / Contrast Writing Resources

• Southwestern University Guide for Writing About Art This easy to follow guide explains the basic of writing an art history paper.
• Purdue Online Writing Center: writing essays in art history Describes how to write an art history Compare and Contrast paper.
• Stanford University: a brief guide to writing in art history See page 24 of this document for an explanation of how to write a compare and contrast essay in art history.
• Duke University: writing about paintings Downloadable handout provides an overview of areas you should cover when you write about paintings, including a list of questions your essay should answer.
• << Previous: Video and Image Resources
• Next: Citation Help >>
• Last Updated: Jun 19, 2023 4:30 PM
• URL: https://lee.libguides.com/Arts_Herzberg

How to Write an Art Comparison Essay

Jared lewis, 25 jun 2018.

Writing an art comparison essay can be a difficult task for the novice art student. Students of art or art history often assume that any interpretation is as good as another, but in reality, to adequately interpret a work of art and then compare it to another, you will need to learn a little about the artist and the historical context of the composition.

Research the historical context of each piece of art. In order to adequately understand any work of art you must understand the circumstances under which it was produced. Artists are considered cultural innovators and often have an idea or truth they are trying to convey with any given composition or group of compositions. You have to first understand the artist as a person before you can adequately understand the meaning of his or her work. In order to understand the artist as a person you will also need to understand the time in which they lived. Picking up a good art history or humanities textbook will help you get started understanding the context.

Find the similarities and differences. Once you have placed each work within the proper context and before you actually begin to write your essay, sit down with a sheet of paper and a pen or pencil and write down the similarities and differences in each work. Questions to consider are the historical, political, philosophical, and religious differences of the time in which each work was composed. What do each of these works say about these issues? Do the works contain any symbolism? If so, how do the symbols differ and how are they similar? What do the symbols tell the observer about each composition?

Consider the medium through which the piece of art was created. Is it a painting or sculpture? Is the art representational or abstract? Is there a technique or style used that tells the observer something about the meaning of the composition? Who or what are the subjects of the work? The questions you can ask regarding any particular work of art are actually unlimited, but should always include some of these basic questions.

Compose your essay. Once you have analyzed each key piece of art you should develop some type of thesis statement related to that analysis. For instance, a comparison of any of Jackson Pollack's works with Van Gogh's "Starry Night" might yield a thesis statement indicating that both artists expressed themselves similarly by painting in a manner that revealed their inner emotions. Van Gogh was known to cake the paint onto the canvas and create a visible texture that was reminiscent of his inner torment while Pollack's abstract art was created by slopping paint onto large canvases, often in a drunken rage. You can then compare and contrast the elements of each composition to reveal how these artists methods were similar. The key to writing a good comparison and contrast essay is to be as clear and concise as possible, but also to be as detailed as possible regarding each element of the compositions.

Revise your work. If you are submitting your work for a grade you should take the time to reread and revise your essay before turning it in. Even the best writers rarely get their work exactly right on the first try. Have someone else proofread and offer suggestions for revision if possible. It is generally much easier for someone else to spot clarity issues and point them out than it is for you to do it yourself. Getting a little help from a friend, family member, or colleague is a great way to strengthen your writing and increase your chances of getting a positive response from the reader.

• 1 Academy of Art University: Compare/Contrast Art History Essay

About the Author

Jared Lewis is a professor of history, philosophy and the humanities. He has taught various courses in these fields since 2001. A former licensed financial adviser, he now works as a writer and has published numerous articles on education and business. He holds a bachelor's degree in history, a master's degree in theology and has completed doctoral work in American history.

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Art History Analysis – Formal Analysis and Stylistic Analysis

Typically in an art history class the main essay students will need to write for a final paper or for an exam is a formal or stylistic analysis.

A  formal analysis  is just what it sounds like – you need to analyze the form of the artwork. This includes the individual design elements – composition, color, line, texture, scale, contrast, etc. Questions to consider in a formal analysis is how do all these elements come together to create this work of art? Think of formal analysis in relation to literature – authors give descriptions of characters or places through the written word. How does an artist convey this same information?

Organize your information and focus on each feature before moving onto the text – it is not ideal to discuss color and jump from line to then in the conclusion discuss color again. First summarize the overall appearance of the work of art – is this a painting? Does the artist use only dark colors? Why heavy brushstrokes? etc and then discuss details of the object – this specific animal is gray, the sky is missing a moon , etc. Again, it is best to be organized and focused in your writing – if you discuss the animals and then the individuals and go back to the animals you run the risk of making your writing unorganized and hard to read. It is also ideal to discuss the focal of the piece – what is in the center? What stands out the most in the piece or takes up most of the composition?

A  stylistic approach  can be described as an indicator of unique characteristics that analyzes and uses the formal elements (2-D: Line, color, value, shape and 3-D all of those and mass).The point of style is to see all the commonalities in a person’s works, such as the use of paint and brush strokes in Van Gogh’s work. Style can distinguish an artist’s work from others and within their own timeline, geographical regions, etc.

Methods & Theories To Consider:

Expressionism

Instructuralism

Postmodernism

Social Art History

Biographical Approach

Poststructuralism

Museum Studies

Visual Cultural Studies

Stylistic Analysis Example:

The following is a brief stylistic analysis of two Greek statues, an example of how style has changed because of the “essence of the age.”  Over the years, sculptures of women started off as being plain and fully clothed with no distinct features, to the beautiful Venus/Aphrodite figures most people recognize today. In the mid-seventh century to the early fifth, life-sized standing marble statues of young women, often elaborately dress in gaily painted garments were created known as korai. The earliest korai is a Naxian women to Artemis. The statue wears a tight-fitted, belted peplos, giving the body a very plain look. The earliest korai wore the simpler Dorian peplos, which was a heavy woolen garment. From about 530, most wear a thinner, more elaborate, and brightly painted Ionic linen and himation. A largely contrasting Greek statue to the korai is the Venus de Milo. The Venus from head to toe is six feet seven inches tall.  Her hips suggest that she has had several children. Though her body shows to be heavy, she still seems to almost be weightless. Viewing the Venus de Milo, she changes from side to side. From her right side she seems almost like a pillar and her leg bears most of the weight. She seems be firmly planted into the earth, and since she is looking at the left, her big features such as her waist define her. The Venus de Milo had a band around her right bicep. She had earrings that were brutally stolen, ripping her ears away. Venus was noted for loving necklaces, so it is very possibly she would have had one. It is also possible she had a tiara and bracelets. Venus was normally defined as “golden,” so her hair would have been painted. Two statues in the same region, have throughout history, changed in their style.

Compare and Contrast Essay

Most introductory art history classes will ask students to write a compare and contrast essay about two pieces – examples include comparing and contrasting a medieval to a renaissance painting. It is always best to start with smaller comparisons between the two works of art such as the medium of the piece. Then the comparison can include attention to detail so use of color, subject matter, or iconography. Do the same for contrasting the two pieces – start small. After the foundation is set move on to the analysis and what these comparisons or contrasting material mean – ‘what is the bigger picture here?’ Consider why one artist would wish to show the same subject matter in a different way, how, when, etc are all questions to ask in the compare and contrast essay. If during an exam it would be best to quickly outline the points to make before tackling writing the essay.

Compare and Contrast Example:

Stele of Hammurabi  from Susa (modern Shush, Iran), ca. 1792 – 1750 BCE, Basalt, height of stele approx. 7’ height of relief 28’

Stele, relief sculpture, Art as propaganda – Hammurabi shows that his law code is approved by the gods, depiction of land in background , Hammurabi on the same place of importance as the god, etc.

Top of this stele shows the relief image of Hammurabi receiving the law code from Shamash, god of justice, Code of Babylonian social law, only two figures shown , different area and time period, etc.

Stele of Naram-sin , Sippar Found at Susa  c. 2220 - 2184  bce. Limestone, height 6'6"

Stele, relief sculpture, Example of propaganda because the ruler (like the Stele of Hammurabi) shows his power through divine authority, Naramsin is the main character due to his large size, depiction of land in background, etc.

Akkadian art, made of limestone, the stele commemorates a victory of

Naramsin, multiple figures are shown specifically soldiers, different area and time period, etc.

Iconography

Regardless of what essay approach you take in class it is absolutely necessary to understand how to analyze the iconography of a work of art and to incorporate into your paper. Iconography is defined as subject matter,  what  the image means. For example, why do things such as a small dog in a painting in early Northern Renaissance paintings represent sexuality?  Additionally, how can an individual perhaps identify these motifs that keep coming up?

The following is a list of symbols and their meaning in  Marriage a la Mode  by William Hogarth (1743) that is a series of six paintings that show the story of marriage in Hogarth’s eyes.

• Man has pockets turned out symbolizing he has lost money and was recently in a fight by the state of his clothes.
• Lap dog shows loyalty but sniffs at woman’s hat in the husband’s pocket showing sexual exploits.
• Black dot on husband’s neck believed to be symbol of syphilis.
•  Mantel full of ugly Chinese porcelain statues symbolizing that the couple has no class.
• Butler had to go pay bills, you can tell this by the distasteful look on his face and that his pockets are stuffed with bills and papers.
• Card game just finished up, women has directions to game under foot, shows her easily cheating nature.
• Paintings of saints line a wall of the background room, isolated from the living, shows the couple’s complete disregard to faith and religion. 
• The dangers of sexual excess are underscored in the Hograth by placing Cupid among ruins, foreshadowing the inevitable ruin of the marriage.
• Eventually the series (other five paintings) shows that the woman has an affair, the men duel and die, the woman hangs herself and the father takes her ring off her finger symbolizing the one thing he could salvage from the marriage. 

Defining Art Criticism

• Art criticism is responding to, interpreting meaning, and making critical judgments about specific works of art.
• Art critics help viewers perceive, interpret, and judge artworks.
• Critics tend to focus more on modern and contemporary art from cultures close to their own.
• Art historians tend to study works made in cultures that are more distant in time and space.
• When initially introduced to art criticism, many people associate negative connotations with the word "criticism."

A professional art critic may be

• a newspaper reporter assigned to the art beat,
• a scholar writing for professional journals or texts, or
• an artist writing about other artists.

Journalistic criticism  –

• Written for the general public, includes reviews of art exhibitions in galleries and museums.
• (Suggestions that journalistic criticism deals with art mainly to the extent that it is newsworthy.)

Scholarly art criticism

• Written for a more specialized art audience and appears in art journals.
• Scholar-critics may be college and university professors or museum curators, often with particular knowledge about a style, period, medium, or artist.

FORMAL ANALYSIS

• Four levels of formal analysis, which you can use to explain a work of art:

1. Description   = pure description of the object without value judgments,   analysis, or interpretation.

• It answers the question, "What do you see?"
• The various elements that constitute a description include:

a. Form of art whether architecture, sculpture, painting or one of the minor arts

b. Medium of work whether clay, stone, steel, paint, etc., and technique (tools used)

c. Size and scale of work (relationship to person and/or frame and/or context)

d. Elements or general shapes (architectural structural system) within the composition, including building of post-lintel construction or painting with several figures lined up in a row; identification of objects

e. Description of axis whether vertical, diagonal, horizontal, etc.

f. Description of line, including contour as soft, planar, jagged, etc.

g. Description of how line describes shape and space (volume); distinguish between lines of objects and lines of composition, e.g., thick, thin, variable, irregular, intermittent, indistinct, etc.

h. Relationships between shapes, e.g., large and small, overlapping, etc.

i. Description of color and color scheme = palette

j. Texture of surface or other comments about execution of work

k. Context of object: original location and date

2. Analysis = determining what the features suggest and deciding why the artist used such features to convey specific ideas.

• It answers the question, "How did the artist do it?"
• The various elements that constitute analysis include:

a. Determination of subject matter through naming iconographic elements, e.g., historical event, allegory, mythology, etc.

b. Selection of most distinctive features or characteristics whether line, shape, color, texture, etc.

c. Analysis of the principles of design or composition, e.g., stable,

repetitious, rhythmic, unified, symmetrical, harmonious, geometric, varied, chaotic, horizontal or vertically oriented, etc.

d. Discussion of how elements or structural system contribute to appearance of image or function

e. Analysis of use of light and role of color, e.g., contrasty, shadowy,

illogical, warm, cool, symbolic, etc.

f. Treatment of space and landscape, both real and illusionary (including use of perspective), e.g., compact, deep, shallow, naturalistic, random

g. Portrayal of movement and how it is achieved

h. Effect of particular medium(s) used

i. Your perceptions of balance, proportion and scale (relationships of each part of the composition to the whole and to each other part) and your emotional

j. Reaction to object or monument

3. Interpretation = establishing the broader context for this type of art.

• It answers the question, "Why did the artist create it and what does it mean
• The various elements that constitute interpretation include:

a. Main idea, overall meaning of the work.

b. Interpretive Statement: Can I express what I think the artwork is about in one sentence?

c. Evidence: What evidence inside or outside the artwork supports my interpretation?

4. Judgment: Judging a piece of work means giving it rank in relation to other works and of course considering a very important aspect of the visual arts; its originality.

• Is it a good artwork?
• Criteria: What criteria do I think are most appropriate for judging the artwork?
• Evidence: What evidence inside or outside the artwork relates to each criterion?
• Judgment: Based on the criteria and evidence, what is my judgment about the quality of the artwork?

Barrett's Principles of Interpretation

• Artworks have "aboutness" and demand interpretation.
• Interpretations are persuasive arguments.
• Some interpretations are better than others.
• Good interpretations of art tell more about the artwork than they tell about the critic.
• Feelings are guides to interpretations.
• There can be different, competing, and contradictory interpretations of the same artwork.
• Interpretations are often based on a worldview.
• Interpretations are not so much absolutely right, but more or less reasonable, convincing, enlightening, and informative.
• Interpretations can be judged by coherence, correspondence, and inclusiveness.
• An artwork is not necessarily about what the artist wanted it to be about.
• A critic ought not to be the spokesperson for the artist.
• Interpretations ought to present the work in its best rather than its weakest light.
• The objects of interpretation are artworks, not artists.

Art Criticism

• internet art

Ways to Describe Art

General Information

In many cases, this information can be found on the label or a quick google search.

• Artist or Architect
• Technique and Medium (exp. Sculpture, Photograph, Painting, Installation, etc.)
• Subject Matter (Who or What is Represented?)

Ways to Describe Form

• Line (straight, curved, angular, flowing, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, contour, thick, thin, implied etc.)
• Shape (what shapes are created and how)
• Light and Value (source, flat, strong, contrasting, even, values, emphasis, shadows)
• Color (primary, secondary, mixed, complimentary, warm, cool, decorative, values)
• Texture and Pattern (real, implied, repeating)
• Space (depth, overlapping, kinds of perspective)
• Time and Motion
• Unity and Variety
• Balance (symmetry, asymmetry)
• Emphasis and Subordination
• Scale and Proportion (weight, how objects or figures relate to each other and the setting)
• Mass/Volume (three-dimensional art)
• Function/Setting (architecture)
• Interior/Exterior Relationship (architecture)
• Words for Art Looking for descriptive art words? Below you'll find a "masterpiece" of art words and phrases, perfect for the description of any form of art or artistic expression. Adjectives | Nouns | Verbs | Negatives | Styles & Movements | Phrases

Media @FIULibraries

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• What Is Beauty? : An Art Critic's Journey Is beauty found only in the eye of the beholder or is there something more universal we can conclude about it? In this visually stunning program, renowned art critic Matthew Collings takes us on a thoughtful and memorable exploration of beauty in art. He explores the timeless visual principles that form the basis of all great art, and which produce the rush of pleasure one experiences when encountering a beautiful painting or sculpture. Examples are drawn from the works of Piero della Francesca, Michelangelo, Magritte, Gauguin, Rauschenberg, and others. From the prehistoric cave art of the Dordogne to the masterpieces of the Renaissance to the much more debatable pleasures of contemporary art, viewers discover underlying aesthetic tenets which, in Collings's view, run through all of art history.
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• Last Updated: Mar 20, 2024 11:46 AM
• URL: https://library.fiu.edu/art

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5.7 Comparing art works

One of the most important ways that an art historian can discover more about the relationship between effects, techniques, context and meanings in an art work is to compare it with another art work. For example, a comparison of two works depicting the same subject matter but in different ways might better highlight the effects of the techniques that have been used. This can also reveal much about the way each artist has attempted to convey a possible meaning through their use of form.

Activity 9: Comparing the use of colour in No Woman No Cry and Life

Look at Plates 3 and 7 below and make notes on the differences and similarities in the way that colour is used in each art work.

Use the questions in Table 5 (below) to help you with your answer. Don't forget to consider the relationship between techniques and effects in each art work in terms of:

a. the mood conveyed by the colour in the work

b. the possible use of colour to control the way that you read the work.

Your response to this activity will provide further evidence that you can use when planning an interpretation of No Woman No Cry later. You could consider trying either a table or a mind map to structure your notes. A possible table format is provided below.

How did you get on? To give you an idea of the way in which both mind maps and tables might be used to make comparisons of two art works, I've presented my own, brief, conclusions in both these formats.

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March 28, 2016 6 Comments

How to Compare and Contrast Art to Teach Art History

Inside: Use these techniques artwork examples to compare and contrast art in your classroom. Art comparison help students see the art in a new way and make the conventions of an art movement more clear and understandable.

If I had to pick my favorite teaching method for art history, it probably would be compare and contrast art. When you place two artworks next to each other, new ways of understanding the art can open up!

There are multiple ways to compare and contrast art:

• comparing works of art from the same art movement or period to look for commonalities and shared themes,
• comparing two depictions of the same subject,
• comparing works of art from one period with works from the period that came before,
• and probably many more!

Using Compare and Contrast to Teach Art History

In this post, I focus on comparing works from one period with art from the period that comes before. I love this method because, in addition to reviewing prior knowledge, you teach students to discover the conventions of the art movement or period on their own.

It’s easy to tell students that the conventions of Baroque art are contrasted between light and dark, intimate compositions, use of contemporary everyday models, foreshortening, etc, but they won’t remember it unless they find those things for themselves. When you put a Baroque artwork next to a Renaissance artwork, those conventions become immediately clear.

Use the following artwork pairs to have students better understand and connect with the conventions and themes of the art periods.

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Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Renaissance/Baroque

In my Italian Baroque lesson (which you can download as a member of The Curated Connections Library ), I have 4 sets of images that I print and have students compare and contrast art in small groups. My favorite set is Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper and Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus .

Lead a discussion on these artworks being sure to note the differences in the lighting, the people, the setting/background, the positions of the people, the lines, and the colors.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Ancient Rome/Byzantine

After Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, art took a drastic turn from the focus on man to the focus on God. I love to compare this Roman mosaic with the mosaic of Justinian and his attendant.

The differences in subject matter are clear. The Roman artwork glorifies the strength and the body of a man while the Byzantine artwork no longer shows the men with realistic proportions in art . Students will note the differences in body proportions, the use of color and pattern, and the Byzantine complexity vs. the Roman simplicity.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples:  Romanesque/Gothic

Romanesque is kind of a weird art period to teach. It is so varied and transitional. Putting a Romanesque building next to a Gothic really trains students to look closely at details and notice the glory and impressive engineering of a Gothic Cathedral!

Check out this past post on teaching Gothic architecture for more information about this side-by-side.

Resource Library Subscribers: Download the Gothic PowerPoint .

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Neoclassical/Romantic

The honor and stoicism of Neoclassical art is a great contrast to the emotional turmoil of Romanticism. Compare David’s Oath of the Horatii with Delacroix’s Lady Liberty Leading the People .

Patriotism and nationalism are key themes in both of these art movements, but this manifested in their art in incredibly different ways. This art comparison works really well too with a poetry writing exercise. Have students write haikus about the paintings, and then compare the language used in each.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Impressionism/Post-Impressionism

I find Post-Impressionism a little harder to teach than other art movements. It’s mainly just a collection of artists in this strange transition period between Impressionism and Modern Art. It’s Impressionism but it’s not. It’s Fauvism but it’s not.

Putting a Van Gogh next to a Monet works as an art comparison because you can really notice the addition of emotion. I describe Post-Impressionism to my students as Impressionism+Emotion+Bolder, Unrealistic Colors.

Classroom Connection

The compare and contrast art activity from the bundle of free art appreciation worksheets  is a great way to get students thinking.

What other artworks do you like to compare and contrast with your students? Please share in the comments!

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Reader Interactions

September 24, 2020 at 4:25 pm

I just wanted to say thank you for this inspirational lesson. I am a coach for Academic Decathlon and I am not an art expert so this was a great way to get the students to look at the different periods in a more engaging way then listening to me lecture. We are currently virtual so I divided the compare/contrasts for different groups to discuss and post their ideas on different google slides then I linked each art period to more background information using The Art Story website so they could expand/confirm what they noticed.

October 1, 2020 at 12:19 pm

What a great way to use this resource! Thank you for sharing! 🙂

February 4, 2021 at 9:05 pm

this is really helpful for me thank you

February 9, 2021 at 5:55 am

You’re welcome!

October 14, 2020 at 8:21 pm

your Van Gogh painting has the wrong date. It isn’t 1989. not sure the exact date but I know it wasn’t in after I was born LOL. Otherwise great info thank you

October 20, 2020 at 9:22 am

Thank you for bringing this to our awareness! We’ll get the date corrected.

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Compare and contrast

• Both images show women seated in interiors with flowers and black is a major part of the composition.
• The Hockney may even be a deliberate reference to the Matisse.
• The black in the Matisse forms a solid flat background to the work, but Hockney’s work places it in the centre of the image. It is not, however, a solid field but one that describes the form of the woman.
• Both images contain flowers that contrast with the black. In the centre of the Matisse there are two white discs and two which he has added abstracted flower heads. In the Hockey, two large flowers interrupt the view of the black blouse creating two large interesting shapes.
• The lower half of the woman in the Hockney is only sketched in and the edges of the work are less dense than the centre. The Matisse, though, is more evenly finished creating a less illusionistic and more ‘allover’ composition.
• The underlying composition of the Matisse is largely an arrangement of rectangles. The Hockney is different. The woman creates a diagonal that runs from top right to the bottom left of the image. The only hint of any background is a thin line that runs almost parallel to the left had side of the drawing. This line is a framing device, as the plant on the right hand side. In the Matisse there is no such device.

This analysis is almost entirely formal, but if pursued more could be revealed about how women are represented or about the colour relations internal to the work (both pictures use pink or lilac as a counter to the severity of the black). The point is that the Matisse becomes a yardstick for the Hockney and vice versa. The implications of this exercise ought be clear. Two works can be brought together to reveal stuff about each other. For a student wanting to explore their own work in terms of others’ (that is, to contextualise their work in some way) it’s simply a matter of substituting one work in a pair with their own. Your work may not measure up to Matisse (not much does) but you will learn something about what you’ve done.

7 thoughts on “ Compare and contrast ”

If anyone wants to read the biggest and best ‘compare and contrast’ exercise undertaken in visual art, I can wholeheartedly recommend T. J. Clark’s ‘The Sight of Death’ It’s reviewed here: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/aug/13/art

Thanks Bryan, I found this really useful and I am intrigued to pursue the references.

Bryan, I’m interested that in your discussion about colour no mention is made of either women. Hockney’s subject is referenced from within the tones of the mirror behind the sitter of Matisse’s – in fact most of Hockney’s palette resides in the other’s mirror. Of course we see things in today’s vernacular, where Matisse’s subject is situated within a world and Hockney’s sitter is less tethered – which brings me back to colour.

To be honest, jsumb, it’s just a quick example and I was interested in thinking about the black. As I wrote the piece, more became apparent, which is my point. By placing two images together they reveal stuff about one another. It’s something I’ve begun to use as a tool in my own practice as well: placing drawings of art works in juxtaposition as a way of rethinking them. You can see an example of this on my blog here: https://bryaneccleshall.wordpress.com/2015/10/29/365drawings-show-your-wound/ Your points about the palette that Hockney has used also backs up one of the things I’m always telling students to do: STEAL FROM OTHERS.

It helps when their are similarities, like you have outlined above, Bryan. Trying to compare two disparate works is harder and perhaps of no real educational value. It reminds me of when, as a student, I was asked to write an essay comparing EH Gombrich’s ‘The Story of Art’ with John Berger’s ‘Ways of Seeing’. They were so different in what they set out to do that it made comparison difficult.

A useful tool – and has proved your point with the subsequent discussion – are you testing us? ;0)

This is really useful. Thank you.

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Essay 3: Compare & Contrast Two Paintings

Write a two-to-three-page (500-800 words) essay that describes and analyzes a pair of paintings on a similar subject matter.

Choose ONE of the following pairs of paintings to analyze:

• Family Portrait by Rembrandt & Family Group by William Glackens
• The First Steps by Marguerite Gérard & First Steps by Vincent van Gogh
• Paris, A Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte & Rainy Day on Fifth Avenue by Childe Hassam.

Describe the two paintings in detail so that your readers can easily visualize them without actually seeing them. Explain how the perspective, technique, and compositional features of each painting help create contrasting rhetorical effects. In your analysis, focus on two or three specific points of contrast. Support your analysis by referring to specific details from each painting.

Your analysis should present both your own observations and library research. The essay must include at least FOUR sources documented in proper MLA format, with in-text, parenthetical references and a list of Works Cited. Two of your sources will be primary sources–the two paintings you analyze–and two will be secondary sources–historical or critical commentary relevant to the paintings. (Please note: encyclopedias–including on-line encyclopedias like Wikipedia–do not count as sources for this assignment.)

Give your essay a thesis and a clear, logical organization. Your first paragraph should start with a strong lead, provide any necessary background information, and end with a clear thesis statement. The next paragraph should establish the similarities between the two paintings and describe them. Then, in two or three paragraphs, present the points of contrast between the two paintings. Be sure to support your analysis with specific details from the paintings. In your final paragraph, summarize your main points and clearly present the significance of your analysis. Each paragraph should have a strong topic sentence.

Write your essay in a classic prose style: clear and concise, specific and engaging.

Make every word count.

Due: November 4 (Bring THREE copies of your essay to class for Peer Critiques.)

Here are images of the paintings you can use for your analysis. Click on each image to enlarge it.

Rembrandt. Family Portrait . 1665. Oil on canvas. Herzog-Anton-Ulrich-Museum, Braunschweig.

Glackens, William. Family Group . 1910. Oil on canvas. National Gallery of Art, Washington D. C.

First Steps

Gérard, Marguerite. The First Steps . 1788. Oil on canvas. Yuspuov Palace Museum, Leningrad.

van Gogh, Vincent. First Steps . 1890. Oil on canvas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Caillebotte, Gustave. Paris, A Rainy Day . 1877. Oil on canvas. Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago.

Hassam, Childe. A Rainy Day on Fifth Avenue . 1893. Oil on canvas. The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota.

Download: Essay 3: Compare & Contrast Two Paintings

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High [9th-12th] Worksheet

Writing an essay about a work of art: planning sheet and notes, created on june 14, 2016 by swieringa.

Using the DAIJ format to write a five paragraph essay about a work of art. (Describe, Analyze, Interpret, Judgement/Opinion) This can work with any style of artwork, and art made by any artist (even the student's own work.)

19 Keeps, 3 Likes, 1 Comments

Visual arts standard 2: using knowledge of structures and functions, visual arts standard 3: choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas, visual arts standard 4: understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures, visual arts standard 5: reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others, visual arts standard 6: making connections between visual arts and other disciplines.

lintpicker 07/01/2016 at 04:52am Thanks for sharing!

Home — Essay Samples — History — Renaissance — Comparing and Contrasting Renaissance and Baroque Artistic Styles

Comparing and Contrasting Renaissance and Baroque Artistic Styles

• Categories: Renaissance

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Published: Feb 7, 2024

Words: 690 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, historical and cultural context, characteristics of renaissance art, characteristics of baroque art, comparison of renaissance and baroque art.

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Comparison of Two Artworks

One of the most famous art periods is the Renaissance era, which is divided into the Early Renaissance marked between 1400 AD and 1475 AD, and the Late Renaissance, which thrived between 1525 AD and 1600 AD. Artworks created over this period are known for their revolutionary ideas as enlightened artists supported each other, and many talented personalities with diverse skills were revealed. Probably, generous financial support of painters at that time stipulated a drastic change of behavior among different artists seeking to provide unique artworks. Particularly, the period is known for the artists’ rejection of the medieval art to include personal fiction as a way of individualism. In order to understand the quiddity of the Renaissance, this paper will compare The Last Judgment created by Michelangelo and The Battle of Alexander at Issus painted by Altdorfer.

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“The Last Judgment” by Michelangelo

The Last Judgment is a fresco painting by Michelangelo, which was executed on the wall behind the altar in the Sistine Chapel. The painting shows the last judgment or the condemnation of man after the second coming of Christ.

The painting was created between 1512 and 1536 after being commissioned by one of the Catholic popes. A study of the period within which the painting was created reveals that it was made during the Late Renaissance. At a glance, the fresco is satiated with many nude figures that look brutal to the viewer. However, a closer contemplation unravels that all the people are focused on the central figures, which are Jesus Christ and his mother Virgin Mary. Mary was painted as if she looks away from Christ since she seems impressed with the happenings of the last judgment. Christ, on the other hand, looks in the opposite direction, and another peculiarity is that he is not entirely nude as the people that surround him (Alte).

There is a deep symbolism in a portrayal of Christ and Mary surrounded by people doomed for different destinations. The people on the left seem destined for the blissful eternity while the people on the right seem destined for condemnation in purgatory. At the top left, there are those who look like angels, carrying the crown of thorn and the cross. However, angels situated at the top right corner are struggling with some enormous pillar.

The artist used the Bible as his main source of inspiration. However, the artwork goes beyond the Bible since Michelangelo included his own imaginations of the last judgment. For example, the nudity shows the equalization of all figures unlike Christ and his mother who have some coverings to hide their nakedness.

Dominant elements of the fresco are the sky, which formed the main background, and the tones of flesh of the saints and the non-saints. This means that the painting is more monochromatic as opposed to being chromatic.

Later, the fresco was restored, which helped in bringing out the chromatic part of the painting since colors such as green, yellow and orange can be seen amidst the unification and animation of the complex scene (Zawie).

Read more about how to write a compare and contrast essay .

“The Battle of Alexander at Issus” by Altdorfer

The Battle of Alexander at Issus is a painting by Albrecht Altdorfer that was created between 1480 and 1538. The oil painting, measured between 158 and 160 cm, was made on panel. This unique piece of art is preserved at The Alte Pinakothek Museum in Germany.

The painting of Altdorfer as well as the one of Michelangelo belongs to the Late Renaissance, but it reflects the battle of Issus that took place in 333BC. In this battle, the Persian Empire was defeated by Alexander the Great. The artwork was commissioned by one of the Dukes who wanted to make it another wall hanging in his residence. The artwork represents Alexander’s history with one of the contemporary wars during the Renaissance period, which is thought to have inspired the artist.

The artist is also thought to have been inspired by the Alps due to his travel through the mountains in Southern Germany. Apart from this, the painting is believed to have some religious influences as the artist was one of the Danube School’s painters who drawn their inspirations upon historical and biblical motifs.

The main aim of Altdorfer was to show his viewers the achievements of the winning troops against the foreign barbarians. Because of this, the artist did not portray the exact event since it was meant to be an allegory. The painting features an anachronism style combined with symbols instead of using images that would show the exact happenings.

A simple view of the painting shows a broad sky and combatant people at the front. However, a closer look reveals that there are some people at the forefront. The troops supposed to represent Alexander the Great are wearing steel amours while the enemy’s troops can be differentiated with the red turbans on their heads. Darius, the leader of the enemy, is shown being chased by Alexander the Great who is riding a horse with a spear directed towards him (Alte Pinakothek).

In the background is a dreamlike sky with the moon and the sun situated on different sides. The sun is situated behind the mountains while the moon is situated in the upper corner of this artwork. The sun is thought to represent the West while the moon is thought to represent the Muslims. Everything in this painting is fictional including the battle land, the mountain, and the town that is situated behind the battlefield. The river Nile and the Island of Cyprus are also seen in the background is. All these elements are hard to find in one area, which shows fictional part of the painter. The artwork has a sign at the top, which explains the historical events represented by the author.

Similarities between the Two Artworks

One distinct similarity between the two artworks is that they were created during the Renaissance art period. As it was previously mentioned, The Last Judgment was painted between 1512 and 1536 while The Battle of Alexander at Issus was created between 1480 and 1538. Both artists were encouraged to paint the two artworks through commissioning. Michelangelo was commissioned by the pope while Altdorfer was commissioned by the Duke.

Analyzing the aspects of the paintings, the two artworks have the sky as the background, which is painted in blue in both cases. Moreover, there are some similarities in the color use of the two paintings. After The Last Judgment was renovated, some colors such as orange, green and yellow were added. The same colors are present at Altdorfer’s painting, Battle of Alexander at Issus. The turbans worn by Darius’s troops were painted in orange. Darius’s troops also have orange banners to differentiate them from Alexander the Great’s troops. The frame that describes the painting also has some orange color; similar shades are evident in some parts of the sun. Despite the fact that paintings show manifold events, such as the last judgment and the war, the main aspect that unites them is the presence of many people with different destinies.

The two artworks do not show a real representation of the whole event. The reason is that the authors used their imaginations to explain the proceedings of some crucial episode. Michelangelo was inspired by the Bible, but his painting does not represent the event as explained in the Bible. As for me, a redundant nudity shows the last judgment is fictional. On the contrary, Altdorfer was inspired by the Battle of Issus. He did not represent the battle as it was in reality, but used some other elements to highlight his imagination. For example, the River Nile, the city and the Alps appear at the same background, which seem fantastic in the real world. Such an insight can be explained by Altdorfer’s fascination with the Alps. His incomparable imagination led to the creation of the background’s objects, which include the city, the moon, the sun, the mountains, and the river.

Differences between the Two Artworks

One of the major differences between the two pieces of art is that The Last Judgment is a fresco painting while the Battle of Alexander at Issus is an oil painting on panel. In addition, The Last Judgment shows the events during the great account while the events of the Battle of Alexander at Issus represent a raging historical encounter.

The Battle of Alexander at Issus is chromatic while a scale of colors used in The Last Judgment is monochromatic compared to other frescos, which can be seen in temples all over the world. The Last Judgment focuses on the Christ and the Mother while the Battle of Alexander the Great is torn between the battle and the background, which attracts attention to the city, the skies, and other features. There are many nude people in Michelangelo’s work, which makes the painting a controversial one. This is quite different from Altdorfer’s painting, which concentrates on the battle and the spectacular background.

In conclusion, The Last Judgment by Michelangelo and The Battle of Alexander at Issus by Altdorfer have similarities as well as differences. On the one hand, the colors, the background and the themes are somehow similar. On the other hand, the paintings differ in the materials and the purpose of their creation.

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8.6: Essay Type- Comparing and Contrasting Literature

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• Page ID 101138

• Heather Ringo & Athena Kashyap
• City College of San Francisco via ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative

Compare and Contrast Essay Basics

The Compare and Contrast Essay is a literary analysis essay, but, instead of examining one work, it examines two or more works. These works must be united by a common theme or thesis statement. For example, while a literary analysis essay might explore the significance of ghosts in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, a compare/contrast essay might explore the significance of the supernatural in Hamlet and Macbeth .

Literary Analysis Thesis Statement:

While Horatio seems to think the ghost of Old Hamlet is a demon trying to lead Hamlet to death, and Gertrude and Claudius think it is a figment of Hamlet's insanity, Hamlet's status as an unreliable narrator and the ghost actually symbolizes the oppression of Catholics during Shakespeare's time period.

Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement:

The unreliable narrators paired with the ghosts in both Hamlet and Macbeth symbolize the oppression of Catholics in Shakespeare's time period.

Essay Genre Expectations

• Use first-person pronouns sparingly (you, me, we, our)
• Avoid colloquialisms
• Spell out contractions
• Use subject-specific terminology, such as naming literary devices
• Texts: two or more
• Avoid summary. Aim for analysis and interpretation
• MLA formatting and citations

Organization

While the literary analysis essay follows a fairly simple argumentative essay structure, the compare and contrast essay is slightly more complicated. It might be arranged by:

• Literary work (the block method)
• Topics/subtopics (the point-by-point method)

In general, ensure each paragraph supports the thesis statement and that both literary works receive equal attention. Include as many body paragraphs as needed to build your argument.

First Option for Organization: The Block Method

In this first option for organization, you will need to discuss both literary works in the introduction and thesis statement, but then the body of the paper will be divided in half. The first half of the body paragraphs should focus on one literary work, while the second half of the body paragraphs should focus on the other literary work.

• Background of topic
• Background of works related to topic
• Thesis Statement
• Topic sentence
• Introduction of evidence
• Evidence from the first literary work
• Explanation of evidence
• Analysis of evidence
• Evidence from the second literary work
• Restatement of thesis in new words
• Summary of essay arguments

Second Option for Organization: The Point-by-Point Method

With this second option for organization, you may decide to write about both literary works within the same body paragraph every time, or you may choose to consistently alternate back and forth between the literary works in separate body paragraphs.

• Evidence from both literary works