HUMN 330 Week 2 Critic of the Arts

Paper Instructions

Discussion

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity;

  • Textbook Chapter 3, 4
  • Lesson
  • Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)

Initial Post Instructions

Select a work of art from any of the chapters in our textbook, and write a response that analyzes the art through the lens of a descriptive critic, an interpretive critic, and an evaluative critic. What different things would these critics have to say? Use the following guidelines;

  • Descriptive Critic: Address at least 3 different elements of art and/or principles of design.
  • Interpretive Critic: This will require research so that you can understand the subject, meaning, and intent of the work.
  • Evaluative Critic: Use the standards of perfection, insight, and inexhaustibility (as described in the text).

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification. Provide feedback on whether you agree or disagree with their criticism. Explain why. Build on their posts by providing additional insight of your own. If your peer selected the same artwork as you, make sure to address new point or develop existing points in more depth.

Writing Requirements

  • Minimum of 2 posts (1 initial & 1 follow-up)
  • Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
  • APA format for in-text citations and list of references

Grading

This activity will be graded using the Discussion Grading Rubric. Please review the following link;

  • Link (webpage) Discussion Guidelines

Course Outcomes

  • CO 1 Identify the content, forms, and/or techniques of work of art (e.g., architecture, fine art, literature, and/or drama).
  • CO 2 Analyze the content, forms, and/or techniques of a work of art (e.g., architecture, fine art, literature, and/or drama).
  • CO 3 Explain the historical/cultural/social context in which a work was created.
  • CO 4 Classify works of art using different approaches (by discipline, genre, style, period, etc.) in order to contextualize the works and relate them to a variety of influences.

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Critic of The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh is still interesting despite having been painted over a hundred years ago. When viewed from descriptive, interpretive, and normative perspectives, this work provides a holistic picture of the artwork and its meaning. Descriptively, The Starry Night by Vincent demonstrates different qualities, such as broad brushwork and bright color hues (Jain et al., 2022). The entire canvas can be vividly described as depicting a stormy night sky with swirling patterns characterized by blue and white colors.

This design features eleven yellow stars and a crescent moon against the dark blue background. At the bottom of the picture, one can see a tranquil village in a valley, depicted in soft greys. In the foreground, a towering stature of cypress tree connects the earth and heavens above. This painting delineates Van Gogh’s style through thick layers applied through the impasto method and vigorous brushwork.

Figure 1 The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

Interpretively, the painting depicts a scene that van Gogh probably painted in his time at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum. The stormy sky might reflect his disturbed state of mind externally, and the calm village, on the other hand, could symbolize his desire for stability. Research reports that the cypress tree may be related to death and eternity in the Mediterranean culture, hinting at van Gogh’s struggle to connect with something greater (Petersen, 2022).

Furthermore, this interpretation is congruent with the letters he penned, which address his interest in the spiritual qualities of the night sky.
From an evaluative perspective, it is possible to state that the painting The Starry Night is a superb example of technical skill expressed in the color and brush line technique.

Based on insights from Son (2023), the image reflects human nature, presenting themes such as loneliness, searching for creation’s essence, and the longing for God. The fact that this painting became one of the most famous and has left a lasting impact on many artists proves it is connected to many individuals’ viewpoints about the world. It has evolved beyond art into culture, embraced by people worldwide as a symbol of the brilliance of art, passion, and expression by individuals going through mental challenges.

References

  • Jain, V., Zaydfudim, V., & Podboy, A. (2022). Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Abdomen.” Gastroenterology, 163(5). https //doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2022.04.053
  • Petersen, S. (2022). The night albums Visibility and the ephemeral photograph. Leonardo, 56(1), 109–111. https //doi.org/10.1162/leon_r_02325
  • Son, E.-H. (2023). Symbolic image of colors in the animation film Loving Vincent. Quarterly Review of Film and Video, 40, 1–20. https //doi.org/10.1080/10509208.2023.2235991

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