Compare and contrast paintings

The Arnolfini Portrait
Las Meninas Portait by DIEGO V D Velasquez

PROMPT: Compare and contrast these two paintings within a theme of “Secular Portraits from Renaissance to Baroque.”
If you would like to challenge yourself, you can think of the PROMPT: compare and contrast these two paintings within a theme of “Artist as a Witness.”

1)TWhat is the style of each of the artworks? Do they exhibit main characteristics of each of the dominant styles, or do they look like exceptions to the rule? List those characteristics.
[Write it as comparative sentences, as if you are writing in an essay.]

2)Describe and analyze the Subject Matter and Iconography (symbols that the artist used to tell the story).
What is depicted in each artwork?
Is there a narrative/story? If so, how is the story communicated? What are the attributes and symbols that are used to express the subject and narrative?
[Again, write it as comparative sentences, every time moving from one artwork to the other. Use transition words like “similarly” or “contrary.”]

3)Think about the original Purpose of each work.
What was or might have been their original locations? What is the significance of each of the locations?
Who was or might have been each intended audience?
What purpose might each work have originally served?
Who commissioned each work?
What might have been each patron’s motivation? How did the motivation affect each work?
What was the intended message of each artwork? Who benefited from this message?
Why was this object or structure made?
[Again, write it as comparative sentences, every time moving from one artwork to the other. Use transition words like “similarly” or “contrary.” Answer every sub-question. Ideally, you should write a paragraph of at least 14 sentences, following this template with transition words.]

4) Finally, think about the Historical Context that helps us to analyze the works.
What historical period was each work created in?
Which important historical events might have affected each work?
What was the structure of society at that time and place?
What was the dominant religion at that time and place?
How are religion, culture, society, and historical events reflected in each artwork?
[Again, write it as comparative sentences, every time moving from one artwork to the other. Use transition words like “similarly” or “contrary.” Answer every sub-question. Ideally, you should write a paragraph of at least 14 sentences, following this template with transition words.]

5) Think of this as a part of the essay’s conclusion.
Can we say that each work contributed to the culture of their time? Explain.

6)Write a thesis statement that argues the compare and contrast of the two objects within the assigned prompt.
[The ideal compare and contrast argument will have the “even though” or “although” structure. Try to be very specific. Use more than one sentence, if needed.]

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