Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW)

Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW)

The essay (and plan) are focused on a work of art on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW). Choose a question from those listed below, and select works from those on display at AGNSW to build your argument. You may also include works of art held elsewhere, but at least one of your works should be something you can see at AGNSW.

Aims and Outcomes

Research: This task will draw students into the world of professional research. Through this task, student will learn how to find and evaluate relevant scholarly material, work with the ideas they find to grow their thinking, and understand how to reference scholarly material in their essays.

Writing: Building on the feedback they have received in earlier assessments, students will produce a larger piece of writing, given in a formal essay format. Through the feedback already gained, students will be able to discuss their experiences of writing thus far, and how to move forward with their writing, during the AGNSW workshops .[unique_solution]

Visual analysis: This task will extend students’ skills of visual analysis. Students will develop their skills of visual analysis by forging a connection between their own careful study of the actual work of art, and the knowledge they gain from reading a rich variety of scholarly material. Working from the physical art object for the first time, students will extend their understanding of art materials and techniques, as well as methodologies for approaching art works. The essay will ask students to write on more than one work of art, extending their capabilities beyond those acquired in the first assessment.

Visit the AGNSW catalogue (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (or the gallery itself!) to consider what works of art you may choose to write on in relation to your question. (note that I have submit my essay plan before, and I have chosen two art work on the AGNSW website before, which are The Cosimo l de Medici in armour,1540s, accomplished by Agnolo Bronzino and portrait of a gentleman with a falcon, circa 1548-circa 1550, accomplished by Nicolo dell’ Abate, these two art work can only be used in the essay, cannot chose some other art work!!! Please search those on the website and write the essay.)

Questions

Portraits: How can we understand the relationship between the portrait object and the individuals they seek to represent? Limiting your discussion to two works, at least one of which is on display in the AGNSW, analyse the role and status of the portrait object and the way they function within the culture of the time they were made. What is their purpose and how do they function to meet this? Closely analyse your chosen works to present a case study that supports your argument.

Marking Criteria

1. Research materials: High-quality scholarly sources applied to build the core of the essay. This means refereed sources (scholarly books and journal articles.) Based on experience, you will need a bare minimum of five respected refereed sources – both books and articles (as they offer different kinds of information) –  which directly feed into your topic. More general sources (survey texts, lower-level exhibition catalogues, material meant for a non-scholarly audience), may be consulted, but this should not supplant major scholarship. Note: General web sources should not be used to inform major ideas or key passages within your paper. If you are unsure about the status of your source material, consult your tutor. This guide might prove helpful(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
2. Argument: Presents a focused and substantial argument developed through your independent critical thinking. Students will formulate an argument by reading a diverse array of research materials. Resolving the different ideas presented in the research material into a connected whole will act as the foundation of the argument. The argument should be outlined in the introduction. It should develop over the body of the text, rather than simply being reiterated in the same form throughout. It should shape and draw together all of the included material, and it turn be shaped as your progress through the material. This might help(Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
3. Visual Analysis: Your argument should be demonstrated through detailed analysis, particularly, visual analysis. Works should not be used as illustrations of an idea, stated separately from key points. Instead, visual analysis should establish and extend the argument. Think critically. Explain ‘how’ and justify ‘why’, for each idea presented. Never rest with statement. Unpack visual ideas, giving substantial detail to demonstrate their significance. Think ‘analysis’, and reject ‘summary’.
4. Structure: Employ a formal essay structure. Begin with a clear introduction, outlining your thesis and justifying your project’s parameters. Write using properly developed paragraphs, and end the paper with a conclusion that demonstrates the implications of your work. Our department’s guide should help you develop your skills.
5. Independence of ideas and interpretation: Independence of ideas will come through a demonstrated knowledge of a varietyof high quality source materials, not simply relying on one source for a whole section of your paper. Grow the paper by drawing together different research materials – this will encourage students to extend their understanding. In doing this, the paper will demonstrate the active application of ideas, rather than simple summary. Do not quote unnecessarily. Paraphrase instead – this will mean you have to translate the idea into your own words and argument. Do not include more than two direct quotes. If you do quote, you must interpret the material yourself before or after the quoted section – do not expect your reader to infer meaning. Quotes (and references) do not contribute to your word count.
6. Writing Style: Craft your work carefully to develop a clear and polished style. Work on sentence structure, paragraph structure, expression and flow. Dedicate time to editing. Some resources on essay writing: Guide to Research Essays
7. Referencing: Your paper must be accurately and effectively referenced, using only footnotes, given in the Chicago style. How to reference using Chicago: http://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476411Chicago Style Guide: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. You must also include a bibliography, presented in the same style as your notes.