Write a 5-page paper following the Analyzing pictures sheet which I have copied under the instructions. The paper has to be on one the the Waterlilies by Monet that is at the MET Museum of New York. The chosen painting HAS to be located at the MET museum. I: Description: What is in the picture? A) Objective inventory: enumerate the obvious in terms that minimize disagreement, provide info. Without interpretation. Give author, title, date. B) Technical analysis: how is the picture made? II: Formal Analysis: What are the rels, bet, visual elements in the picture? A) describe the qualities of form, composition, light, space, etc. that characterize the picture and their emotional effects on you. Two dimensional forms: design in 2-D, flat planes. 1) Forms: regular/irregular; numerous/few? 2) organization/composition. A) order: repeated use of similar or identical elements? B) contrast: of large & small, many & few, up & down, etc..? C) balance: formal/symmetrical? Informal/asymmetrical? D)movement: unification of diff. elements within geom.. form—triangle, circle, frieze, etc? or random scattering, “all-over” focus? 3) Value: dark/light contrast? Soft/sharp focus? Tinting of print? 4) Color (hue & saturation): warm or cool? Bright/satur’d or pale/mixed? 5) Picture as object: A) surface: smooth, textured, with collage? B)finish: matte, glossy, with brushwork? C) proportions: square, horizontal rectangle, upright rectangle? Three dimensional forms: illusionism. 1) How the individual form is “rounded” A) edge of sharp or drawn line stands for silhouette of subject B) internal contours describe subordinate forms within outline C) edges & lines overlap to indicate near & far within form D) oblique lines suggest recession into depth of planes with parallel edges E) reduction in scale stands for increased distance from us F) modeling (shading from light to dark) stands for the action of light on 3-D objects 2) How spatial relations between forms are created: A) overlapping planes B) variation in size of same element if element is constant size in reality C) position on picture plane: objects at bottom assumed to be closer to viewer D) Spectator’sd point of view on objects depicted: do we see tops, bottoms, or middles of objects, have birds eye, worms eye or head on views? Are we near or far from objects? E) Cropping of objects: implies their extention beyond & continuity of space inside and outside frame F) Atmospherical/aerial perspective: forms lose definition w. distance G) value & color change: variation in brilliance from bright/near to dim/far; difference between color form & color of background 1. Consider assumptions of Western Culture: horizontal lines stand for earth, vertical for man & man-made, trees; Greek & Renaissance conventions for portrayal of human body & landscape are normative, considered standards for beauty; we “read” 2-D images left to right; nudes, children, & domestic aimals are generally thought to be beautiful; photos convey clear info. , represent momentary reality (supposedly) etc. Consider symbols of Western Culture: cross for Christianity, Church, Red Cross; Star of David: Israel, Jewry, Judaism; flag for nation, patriotism; upraised fist for Black Power, revolution; mathematical signs-plus, minus etc 2) Consider apparent inconsistencies in depiction/style: mixture of styles? Odd, intrusive elements? Is consistency intentional, does it serve a purpose? By diverging from a standard, does this painting attack it? III: Interpretation: What is the picture about?: A) relate I and II, (description & formal analysis) B) Form a hypothesis to account for the idea or principle of organization in the picture that produces its effect on us. C) Does the picture look like or feel like something in our own personal experience? If not, what in it is alien to us? Why? IV: Judgement: How good is the picture? A) determine the purpose/function of the picture. B) relate the picture to the widest possible range of works in its class and to an example by the same artist. C) define in what ways the work departs from its antecedents D) Relate the picture to its period’s typical needs and viewpoint E) evaluate the artists goals as a technician/craftsman & success in reaching them