Week 8 Assignment 2 - Submit Here Students Please View ✓ Solved

Week 8 Assignment 2 - Submit Here Students , please view the "Submit a Clickable Rubric Assignment"

The Project Paper focuses on a suggested topic related to art, architecture, history, music, or literature. The project will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities to be the creative, innovative, and critical thinker you already are!

Choose one (1) of the topics from the list of topic choices below. Read the topic carefully. Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that responds to each of the items described in the topic. Support your ideas with specific, illustrative examples. If there are questions or points associated with your chosen topic, be sure to answer all of the listed questions and address all of the items in that topic. If your topic requires you to do several things related to the topic, be sure to do each of the things listed.

You may choose to present your project in any format—for example, an interview, a proposal, a letter, a short story, a blog, an essay, an article, or another creative written genre. The project aims to be both fun and informative.

Use at least three (3) quality academic sources, including one (1) from your class text. Wikipedia and similar websites are not acceptable as academic sources.

Choose one of the following topics:

• Self-Portraits. Journal. Write as if you are an artist like Titian, Rembrandt, Durer, or another of your choice, imagining yourself creating a self-portrait. Discuss your primary reason for painting a self-portrait, your artistic choices in composition and color, what the portrait reveals about you as an artist, and relate it to at least three other artworks you've created.
• Ladies & Gentlemen. Survey & Report. Summarize the characteristics of a well-rounded person ("uomo universale") from The Courtier. Conduct a survey of ten people to assess the relevance of these characteristics today, analyze responses by demographics, and express your opinion on Castiglione's perspective.
• Bayeux Tapestry Experience. Letter. Imagine yourself as a figure in the Bayeux Tapestry, writing a letter home describing your experience during the battle. Use sensory details to describe your impressions, uniforms, weapons, fighting styles, and your perspective on the justification of your side and how you wish the battle to be remembered.
• Ancient Emperors. Deathbed Memoir. Pretend you are an emperor like Shihuangdi, Constantine, Ashoka, or Charlemagne. Reflect on your greatest achievements in politics, art/architecture, and religion or philosophy, and discuss any actions you fear will be judged harshly or that you feel proud of.

Assessment criteria: Your paper will be graded based on adherence to instructions, completeness of all four parts of the topic, quality and support of your ideas, relevance of explanations, proper use of three credible references (APA style), and grammar and mechanics.

Formatting requirements: Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font size 12, with one-inch margins. Include a cover page with the title, your name, professor’s name, course, and date. References are not counted in page length. Follow APA style for references.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Throughout history, self-portraits have served not only as a means for artists to explore their inner worlds but also as reflections of their societal and philosophical outlooks. This paper adopts the persona of the Renaissance artist Rembrandt van Rijn, delving into the motivations, artistic choices, and personal symbolism embedded within his self-portraits. An exploration of Rembrandt’s artistic evolution provides insights into his psychological landscape, artistic innovation, and the broader cultural context of his time.

Reasons for Painting a Self-Portrait

Rembrandt’s primary motivation for creating self-portraits was a combination of personal introspection and practical necessity. Unlike many of his contemporaries who viewed self-portraiture as a mere study, Rembrandt considered his face a mirror to his soul, offering an ongoing self-examination. His self-portraits served as a visual diary, capturing his aging process, emotional states, and reflections on mortality (Schama, 1996). Additionally, as a humble artist relying on commissions, self-portraits were also a form of branding, showcasing his skill and unique style to potential patrons and the public.

Artistic Choices in Composition

Rembrandt’s use of chiaroscuro—a dramatic contrast between light and dark—dominated his self-portraits, emphasizing emotional intensity and depth. He often employed a subdued color palette of browns, ochres, and muted reds, which accentuated the somber mood of his introspections (Benny, 2006). Compositionally, Rembrandt preferred close-up views, focusing on his face and upper torso, thereby encouraging viewers to confront his vulnerable expressions and genuine character. The textured surface of his paintings shows thick impasto, which adds physicality and rawness to his self-representations.

What the Portrait Reveals About the Artist

Rembrandt’s self-portraits reveal a complex personality grappling with themes of aging, humility, and spiritual inquiry. His recurring use of a simple, dark background isolates his visage, suggesting introspection and humility. The variations in facial expression across his self-portraits reflect his personal struggles, artistic confidence, and evolving self-awareness (Möhl, 2010). His focus on the face—often marked with shadows and soft highlights—embodies a desire to communicate honesty and emotional sincerity, distinguishing his self-portraiture from the idealized depictions common in earlier periods.

Connections to Other Artistic Works

In addition to his self-portraits, Rembrandt’s mastery is evident in his biblical etchings and narrative paintings, where he employs similar chiaroscuro effects and expressive characterization. For instance, in "The Return of the Prodigal Son," the emotional gravity and use of light mirror those found in his self-portraits, reinforcing themes of repentance and humility (Langmuir, 2009). His self-portraits, therefore, not only document his personal journey but also exemplify his broader artistic philosophy of capturing genuine human emotion.

Conclusion

Rembrandt’s self-portraits offer a profound window into his inner life, artistic vision, and the evolving understanding of selfhood in the Dutch Golden Age. By combining technical mastery with emotional vulnerability, he set a precedent for self-portraiture that influences artists to this day. His work underscores the power of art to serve as both personal reflection and universal communication, inspiring ongoing exploration of identity and human experience.

References

• Benny, H. (2006). Rembrandt’s Self-Portraits: A Study in Artistic Development. Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum Publications.
• Langmuir, R. (2009). Rembrandt and the Emotional Landscape. Yale University Press.
• Möhl, H. (2010). Rembrandt’s Artistic Self-Reflectiveness. Journal of Dutch Art History, 25(2), 159-180.
• Schama, S. (1996). Rembrandt: A Life in Pictures. Alfred A. Knopf.