ART B36: Survey of Western Art History II: Welcome

• Analysis of artwork from 1300-present.
• Select one of the 5 essay prompts.
• Be specific with topic you choose--find a piece of art that represents your topic of interest, and use comparisons tied to your thesis.
• Need to include image(s) of the work(s) you choose.
• Need a thesis statement--What stance are you taking on the topic?
• Must have 4 or more sources that are books, academic journal articles, or reputable websites (no more than 2 websites).
• Websites may not be online encyclopedias, wikis, or art blogs.
• Must use MLA citation formatting for paper and source citations.  

1. Renaissance art in Europe revived an interest in ancient Grecco-Roman art, while also incorporating a humanist interest in math, science, and the individual. Describe a Renaissance artwork that describes the connections to history and cultural changes in the 15^th or 16^th centuries. 
2. Baroque art of the 16^th and 17^th centuries set a new standard for beauty and extravagance in art and architecture preferred by the Catholic church and the aristocracy. Choose an artwork that describes the unique aspects of Baroque art and how it was used to advance ideas of wealth and power. 
3. 19th-century France saw extensive social struggle and change in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. Describe how an artwork from one of the many changing styles addressed these social changes and how art became an effective tool to change society.   
4. Pop art grew in popularity in the 1960s as a critique of mass media and consumer culture. Discuss the new styles and techniques they used to question the rapidly changing world around them. 
5. Art is evolving almost as rapidly as technology in the 21^st century. Choose a contemporary art-making practice and discuss how and why this work differs from art made in the pre-Internet age. How has technology changed how and why we view art now? 

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