Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this assignment, students will: Apply art terminology as it
specifically relates to works of art. Demonstrate knowledge of art elements and principles of
design. Differentiate between the processes and materials used in the production of various
works of art. Critically interpret and evaluate works of art. Demonstrate an understanding of the
impact of arts on culture.
Directions:
After looking at page 88 and reading chapters 1 & 2 in your book (especially pages 9-13, and
32) type in your own words 3 separate paragraphs to (1) describe Andy Warhol’s Ethel Scull 36
Times image below using every element and principal. Next (2) analyze the content or what
things might stand for in the image through research. Finally (3) interpret what you see with your
research to find an understanding of it.
See rubric, general instruction, and student examples of a different piece below:
(A hypothetical example to begin)
Describe what you see from the artwork using the elements and principles. Be sure to
include the artist, medium, size, etc. Keep this part simple. ‘There is a blue figure in the
foreground looking towards a textured orange circle…
Analyze what you have written. This probably requires research.
‘The title Circle Smashes Man confirms that the triangle is going to hit the blue figure.’…
Interpret what you see, have written, and have researched. Many times there is not one
correct answer. Both the description and analyzation should fuse here.
‘Even though the eminent crushing of the blue figure by the circle is clear its significance is not.
Is it simply absurd or does the triangle, which resembles Zabadoo’s national flag, reflect a very
real and personal struggle today?…
Rubric:
Reads clearly/MLA/Sources 20%
Paragraph 1: Accurately mentions the artist, title, and medium before addressing each
relevant element and principle of art to first describe the work. Pretend I have a blindfold on. 30%
Paragraph 2: Demonstrates some research (at least 3 different sources) giving some
background on the style and how the piece came to be. 30%
Paragraph 3: Combines Paragraph 1 & 2 to demonstrate the significance of the work
along with any unanswered questions. 20%
The use of lines in this piece separates multiple subjects from one another adding structure to
the artwork. There are all kinds of shapes in this art adding to the uniqueness. On the left there
are light subjects with dark backgrounds. On the right however, there is a darker subject with a
lighter background. There are lots of blues and browns used in this particular piece. The use of
lines and shading creates a texture throughout the piece. The space seems vague. Subjects are
seemingly posing for something. The use of all this provides a sense of unity throughout the
piece. There are a variety of poses, colors, and shapes used throughout. The emphasis seems
to be on the figure in the bottom right as this figure may be the focal point. The variation of color
and shape adds balance to the art. The use of so many sharp edged figures portrays a sense of
rhythm. The figures appear to be to above scale with that of a human. Everything is in
proportion.
Picasso’s subjects were 5 women prostitutes. The title translates to “The Young Women of
Avignon”, home of the subjects depicted. He used line drawing rather than the color and light
defined forms of this time. The figures depicted are above scale of a normal woman. There is
use of a lot of angular lines, cubic shapes, and half circles to form the sharp edged and
simplified look. The distorted faces are an example of primitivism in modern art. The use of
abstracts and geometric shapes with his choice of shapes challenged western tradition at the
time.
Why use the mask on two women but not the rest? Why such a large scale depiction of the
women? It does not make sense why the figures appear to be so tall. His use of new styles
opened the door to modern painting. This painting also launched Cubism, a movement in which
geometric shapes were used. Why depict the subjects the way he did though? The aggressive
edges and expressions make no sense.
“Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’ Avignon.” PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.
“Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.” MoMA | Pablo Picasso. Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Paris, June–
July 1907. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.
“Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (The Young Ladies of Avignon).” Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (The
Young Ladies of Avignon) – Modernism Lab Essays. Pericles Lewis, Professor of English &
Comparative Literature., 2010. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.
Professor Taylor
Art Appreciation 1301
24 Jan 2017
Describing an Image
The first thing I notice about this image would have to be the choppy lines. While there
are a few rounded lines, for instance, the squatter’s bottom and some of the women’s waist
lines, most of the lines used are very straight and edgy. I also notice a lot of geometric figures
throughout the work. Most of the faces have triangular features, and even some of the breasts
are in a pointed triangular shape. There seems to be a heavy contrast between dark and light
with the flesh colors and the background blues. The coloring seems to be what would represent
regular flesh tones, but the background is dark and it really brings out the flesh tones. The
texture of the picture seems to be grainy, and if I were able to touch the painting, I would
imagine it to be a rough, gritty feel. When I look at this picture, I notice that each of the women
are quite close to each other, as if they are in a small space like a hallway or a small room. The
motion of the picture would almost resemble an old Nintendo game. I just don’t see fluidity in
motion when I look at this painting. I believe the focal point of the photo to be the woman with
her right arm up holding a sheet with her left hand. While she is not centered, there is
something about her that instantly catches my view.
I read that Picasso had spent some time studying African and Iberian art, and that some
of the women are wearing what could be African masks. I believe that maybe these women
were simply not very attractive to him, and that he chose to portray them with masks. That
could very well be why I am noticing the women in the middle first. They are not wearing
masks, so they must have been who he was choosing for us to notice. Seeing that we are
looking into a brothel, I can understand why all the women are perceived to be nude. The fruit
that is at the bottom of the picture could be almost something of an invite, or could be
suggestive of sexual nature.
I did read that there were over a hundred sketches done of this, before the painting
came to completion. Some of the sketches had two men depicted in the picture. One was a
sailor, and the other was supposedly a medical student. I can understand the sailor, as he
would be coming into port, and looking for a lustful experience, but the med student is a little
more difficult to explain. Was he there to check the women for disease? Did he represent
something completely different altogether? The two men were eventually taken out of the
picture, but the questions still remain. After researching the painting, I still have the idea that the
masked women were unattractive, although the choice in masks was under his studies
influence. I also believe that if he is standing there at the brothel, he is choosing the woman
whose arm is up and she is holding the sheet with the other hand. Interestingly enough, she
does seem to be in a lying position, while standing up.
Works Cited
Fichner-Rathus, Lois. “Understanding Art” 11th Edition
2016, pp. 9-13, 32
Harris, Beth, and Steven Zucker. “Picasso, Les Demoiselles D’Avignon.” Khan Academy. Khan
Academy, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2017. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-1010/earlyabstraction/cubism/a/picasso-les-demoiselles-davignon
Sample Solution