Metropolitan Museum Visual Analysis
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1. Meet at the central information desk in the lobby of the Metropolitan Museum of Art . Pick up a floor plan!
Note: try not to bring large bags or backpacks or you will have to store them in coat check.
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Directions from SJU: Q46 bus to Union Tpke Station; E train to Lexington Ave Station; transfer to 6 Train uptown to 86th St. Station. Walk west to Central Park and south to 82nd St. entrance. If leaving from campus you may go with the peer leader. If you are leaving from another location contact me for directions.
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We will meet as a group initially to review the project and discuss the museum, then we will separate into groups, and then meet again to discuss our findings.
2. Locate the following works of art (while getting to know this amazing museum). You should be able to find everything, but you may ask the guards for help (note: some guards are more knowledgeable than others!) Based on our class material, note which terms might apply to each piece.
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Jackson Pollock, “Autumn Rhythm” - painting
(The Modern Art Collection, Gallery 919)
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Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, "Julie Le Brun Looking in a Mirror" - painting
(European Paintings, Gallery 632)
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Kerry James Marshall, "Untitled (Studio)" - painting
(Gallery 638)
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Vincent Van Gogh, “Cypresses” – painting
(European Paintings, Gallery 825 or 822)
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Temple of Dendur - architecture (be sure to include the hieroglyphics in your visual analysis)
(The Egyptian Wing – Gallery 131)
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Louis Comfort Tiffany, “Autumn Landscape” - stained glass
(American Decorative Arts, Gallery 700)
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Frederick Church, “Heart of the Andes” - painting
(American Wing, Gallery 760) or any painting in the same room
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Caleb Bingham, “Fur Traders on the Missouri” - painting
(American Wing, Gallery 758)
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Pieter Brueghel, “The Harvesters” - painting
(European Paintings, Gallery 613)
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Maulana Azhar,“The Eavesdropper” - painting
(Art of Arab lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, South Asia, Gallery 455 or any small painting in 455)
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3. Write a 600 word (minimum) visual description of ONE of the above works of art incorporating as many terms (see your notes from the previous class) as apply to that particular piece. If you would like to choose a work that is not on this list, please clear it with me by email.
Assignment Specifications
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Review the “Analyzing Art” section and the “Terms” Powerpoint on our course e-Portfolio https://elizabetalbert.wixsite.com/dnyart-architecture
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Analyze your chosen piece in vivid detail.
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Photograph all the works of art on the list, your chosen work, and any other works you wish. Also photograph your receipt.
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Self-Evaluate your work using Metropolitan Museum Visual Analysis rubric for writing expectations.
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Revise your paper for thoroughness, organization, grammar, and spelling.
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Post your assignment and images to a designated page or section on your e-Portfolio (I will show you how to do this in our lab)
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Submit your assignment to me using Canvas (I will show you how to do this in our lab)
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TIPS!
here are some ways of approaching the assignment
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summarize the overall appearance: format, overall structure
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describe the composition in general terms and then move on to the details
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begin discussing one side of the work and then move across the object to the other side
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describe things in the order in which they draw your eye around the object, starting with the first thing you notice and moving to the next
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Click here for an example of an A+ paper
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Click below for the assignment rubric
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