ARTS 1A

Midterm Exam Essay choices

For our Midterm Exam on May 21, you will complete a series of short-answer questions
and one essay. The following are your essay choices. You will address only one essay
choice on your midterm exam.

Essay choice no. 1:

How do art historians categorize the different subjects explored by artists? Why
do artists work within specific subject categories?

Note: The subject categories we have been exploring in class include: landscape,
history, portraiture, genre, and still life.

Essay choice no. 2:

What are the different technical processes artists use to make art? Why do artists
choose to use specific materials?

Note: The terms “technical processes” and “materials” used here refer to the
techniques used by artists discussed in class, which include etching, ukiyo-e,
mosaic, stone carving, wheel-thrown pottery, charcoal, encaustic, and oil painting,
among others.

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Midterm Exam Rubric
You will receive points for your response in the following four areas, which are equally
important:
- Analysis of works of art discussed in class, in detail;
- Discussion of documents in the ARTS 1A Reader, in detail;
- Clarity in the communication of your ideas;
- Thoroughness (address the questions in your essay prompt as fully as possible).

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Frequently Asked Questions

1) How many works of art should I analyze?
Answer: As many as you need to answer the question thoroughly. Discuss works of art in
detail. Aim to explore at least seven works of art discussed in class, possibly more.
2) How many documents from the Reader should I discuss?
Answer: As many as you need to support your ideas. Discuss documents in detail, using
specific quotes; even quoting a single word from a document in the appropriate context
can bolster your essay. Aim to explore at least four documents in detail, possibly more.

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