Art Theme Scavenger Hunt

I.

For this exercise imagine that you are navigating your way through important periods
in art history. Your job is to find works that share a common theme throughout history.
For the first half of your assignment, you must use works created between 1500-1849
that share the theme of Humanity and Nature. (Example provided below). Note while
the theme must be the same for each work; the context, mediums used, and meaning do
not have to be. Once you have found your four works complete the following:

 Title your work:

Put the title of the work, the artist name, medium(s) used, and art movement that
it was created in. Title must be in “quotes” or italicized followed by artist name
and date of creation, size of the work and its medium. Provide the art movement
under the title.

 Answer the following questions:

1) What is the historical context of the work, what was the artist saying about
their environment at the time of the works creation?

2) In your own words critique the work, what do you like or not like about it,
how does it make you feel?

3) Compare and contrast each work with one of the others you have chosen.
Even though they share the same theme, how are they different, how are they
similar in meaning and technique?

II.

For part two of the assignment: choose another four works, this time anywhere from
1850 to the present. Be sure that if you use a contemporary artist that they are
established (this means they have shown in major galleries and have a website). For
part two answer the same questions, but your theme is now Conflict and Adversity.

Points: This assignment is worth 100 points. Each block is worth 12.5 points. You will be
graded on appropriately titling your works and providing in depth and thoughtful
responses to the questions. Each question should have a response at least 5 sentences
long.

Tools: The following links are provided to help you find artist within your timelines
and to help you learn about the art movements that the works you chose came from.
Understanding art movements will develop your analytical skills in art.
https://www.oxfordartonline.com/

https://www.artstor.org/

http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/

http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/art_movements.htm
 Example

Example: Rain Steam and Speed- The Great Western Railway William Turner, 1844 oil on
canvas.

Movement: Romantic.
1. William Turner’s “Rain Steam and Speed”
was painted as a response to the rise of
industrialization during the mid-1800’s. Its
loose brush strokes create an image that is
hard to read. That is done intentionally to
mirror how quickly technology and
industrialization was taking over the
natural world and agrarian life. In the
lower left of the painting we see man on a
boat representing the simplicity of
preindustrial life, and the train in the
foreground is the acceleration of time
passing us by.
2. The painting’s execution would normally
too loose for my taste, but it is necessary to
communicate its sense of rapidness and
excitement. When looking at the work I
feel like a breeze just rolled past me
following the train. The work give me a
sense of confusion where I am stationary
and the world looks to be moving all
around me.
3. Jean-Honore Fragonard’s “The Swing” from
the Rococo period looks at humanity’s
relationship with nature in a more playful and
relaxed light. Everything looks to be in
harmony, its composition even creates
harmony, compared to the chaotic movement
throughout Turner’s piece. Comparing the two
“The Swing’s” feelings of calm, romance, and
joyfulness almost feel like the sentiments
Turner felt were being taken away by the rise
of the modern age.
 Part 1 Humanity and Nature: 1500-1849

Image 1:

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Image 2:

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Image 3:

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Image 4:

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 Part Conflict and Adversity 2: 1850-Present

Image 1:

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Image 2:

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Image 3:

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Image 4:

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