course material

1. Descriiption: Caravaggio, The Calling of Saint Matthew, 1599-1600,
Contarelli Ch
Descriiption: Caravaggio, The Calling of Saint Matthew, 1599-1600, Contarelli Chapel, San
Luigi dei Francesi, Rome The viewing of objects is essential to understanding art and
artifacts, their size, material, condition, etc. This short assignment will demonstrate your
ability to describe and formally analyze an art object. The object should be selected from the
list provided. This short paper should be about 2 pages in length, 12 point Times New
Roman font, double-spaced, with standard (1”) margins. The paper should briefly introduce
the chosen work, then describe and visually analyze the object. The purpose of this exercise
to sharpen your powers of observation, and to give you practice in putting your perceptions
into words. This assignment will first require close looking and observation, followed by
carefully thought out written descriiption. Discuss the object’s size, materials, style, present
condition, and overall appearance. What effects do size, form, and material have on the
viewer’s experience? What aspects of the object have been emphasized by the artist? What
is the overall impression we receive and what gives us this impression? How have
ornamentation, permanence, animation, or perhaps symmetry been emphasized? What
features are suggestive of movement, energy, and life, or a lack of these characteristics?
Where and how does the artist focus or structure the viewer’s gaze? This is a formal
descriiption paper and not a research project, but you may comment on the object’s original
function if this contributes to your overall understanding of the form and appearance of the
object. Paper Guidelines: You are not required to have a bibliography, as this is a looking
assignment, but if you do consult an outside resource, please use the Chicago Manual of
Style for endnotes and bibliography Provide photocopied or scanned images of the works
discussed and be sure to include labels or captions where necessary. Titles of works are
underlined or italicized, applies to both captions and text. Some issues to consider: Painting-
color: Is the painting more defined by line or by color? What are the colors used? Are the
colors generally light or dark, warm or cool? Are they all shades of one color, or many
contrasting colors? What is the effect of this? Do the colors tie elements of the painting
together? line: Is the line rough and sketchy or smooth end elegant? Do the lines of the work
move in generally the same direction? Is there a sense of flow or motion achieved (in the
form, not movement in the pictured scene)? texture: Can you see the brushstrokes or not? Is
the surface of the painting rough or smooth? space: Does the space recede deeply or is it a
shallow space? How is this sense achieved? Is space suggested by diagonals leading into

2. space, or by parallel planes? Is the main interest near or far? Does the space seem
circumscribed or does it burst out beyond the frame? light: Where is the light source in the
painting? How does the artist use light in the scene? How does the artist use paint to
convince the eye the figures have volume and weight? composition: How are elements
arranged across the canvas? Is there an order to this arrangement? Is the focus of the scene
in one place or scattered across the canvas? Do parts of the image seem crowded? Do parts
seem empty? How does your eye follow the unfolding of the picture? Are foreground and
background elements tied together or separate? Is your eye drawn to a particular point in
the painting? If so, how is that focusing of attention achieved by the formal elements of the
work? How are objects grouped together? Are there groupings of figures? Do these
groupings feel stable or unstable? Do you feel you could pluck an object out of the painting
or do the objects seems all part of the same painted substance?