The Cycle of Life: A Curated Collection of Artworks

This assignment will include all of the tools that you have learned in this course.
In our last chapter, we looked at the Force of Life in art. We examined how artists create works that illustrate birth, love, death, and burial (or the after world). For this assignment, I would like for you to curate a collection of FOUR works of art that illustrate YOUR ideas about the Cycle of Life.
1. You will choose one image for each notch on the Cycle of Life. Images chosen for this essay can be from the textbook or elsewhere.
Birth
Life/Love
Death
Burial or After World
2. You will then analyze EACH work of art by HOW the artist’s choices are really pushing forth the theme of the work. For instance, let’s say you chose the center panel of Jan Van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece for your “After World” work of art. This painting is vibrant and filled with jewels, saints, symbols, and more. The artist is making conscious decisions about color, about composition, about shape and space that facilitate his ideas of Heaven (the After World for a Christian). It is the CHOICES of the artist that you examine, What are the choices? How are they forming the image to best represent its theme? Each examination of art work does not need to be too long, but please be informative (at least 100 words for each work of art). Think of this as a conversation with a friend. You are telling your friend why the art work is “working”, and how it impresses you.
3. Conclusion
4. Include thumbnail images of the art you chose (DO NOT SUBMIT LINKS TO IMAGES – you will be penalized in points for this).
Your essay should have a proper intro, a body (Birth, Life/Love, Death, After World), and a conclusion, all in the MLA style format
As always, for each work of art, include the title of the art work, the artist, the medium, and the date it was made.
The tone of this essay can be personal and somewhat informal, but always, always, always, mind your grammar and spelling. 😉
Have fun with this, and demonstrate that you have learned how to analyze and appreciate art with knowledge as well as unique thought and emotion. This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization
The information of the project is well organized in a logical format (Intro, Body, and Conclusion). Information is clear and accessible, and three chosen images are visible.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis
The thesis has been clearly stated in the Introduction. The thesis is valid and focused. The student has included and clearly communicated the “common theme” used for curating the art work. In other words, the idea for the project has a sense of focus and intent, and this is clearly noted at the beginning and throughout the paper.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent Quality
The content of the project is interesting and valid. Facts and research are utilized and bolster the student’s thesis in a successful way. Elements of art and/or Principles of Design are correctly applied. The content of the body is not superfluous but well-written and focused. Content is unique and authentic, NOT AI GENERATED.
50 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar and Spelling
The student was successful in his/her use of grammar and spelling. There are little to no mistakes. It is evident that the students proof-read the writing before submitting.