compare and contrast two works of art essay

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Writing Essays in Art History

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Art History Analysis – Formal Analysis and Stylistic Analysis

Typically in an art history class the main essay students will need to write for a final paper or for an exam is a formal or stylistic analysis.

A formal analysis is just what it sounds like – you need to analyze the form of the artwork. This includes the individual design elements – composition, color, line, texture, scale, contrast, etc. Questions to consider in a formal analysis is how do all these elements come together to create this work of art? Think of formal analysis in relation to literature – authors give descriptions of characters or places through the written word. How does an artist convey this same information?

Organize your information and focus on each feature before moving onto the text – it is not ideal to discuss color and jump from line to then in the conclusion discuss color again. First summarize the overall appearance of the work of art – is this a painting? Does the artist use only dark colors? Why heavy brushstrokes? etc and then discuss details of the object – this specific animal is gray, the sky is missing a moon, etc. Again, it is best to be organized and focused in your writing – if you discuss the animals and then the individuals and go back to the animals you run the risk of making your writing unorganized and hard to read. It is also ideal to discuss the focal of the piece – what is in the center? What stands out the most in the piece or takes up most of the composition?

A stylistic approach can be described as an indicator of unique characteristics that analyzes and uses the formal elements (2-D: Line, color, value, shape and 3-D all of those and mass).The point of style is to see all the commonalities in a person’s works, such as the use of paint and brush strokes in Van Gogh’s work. Style can distinguish an artist’s work from others and within their own timeline, geographical regions, etc.

Methods & Theories To Consider:

Expressionism

Instructuralism

Postmodernism

Social Art History

Biographical Approach

Poststructuralism

Museum Studies

Visual Cultural Studies

Stylistic Analysis Example:

The following is a brief stylistic analysis of two Greek statues, an example of how style has changed because of the “essence of the age.” Over the years, sculptures of women started off as being plain and fully clothed with no distinct features, to the beautiful Venus/Aphrodite figures most people recognize today. In the mid-seventh century to the early fifth, life-sized standing marble statues of young women, often elaborately dress in gaily painted garments were created known as korai. The earliest korai is a Naxian women to Artemis. The statue wears a tight-fitted, belted peplos, giving the body a very plain look. The earliest korai wore the simpler Dorian peplos, which was a heavy woolen garment. From about 530, most wear a thinner, more elaborate, and brightly painted Ionic linen and himation. A largely contrasting Greek statue to the korai is the Venus de Milo. The Venus from head to toe is six feet seven inches tall. Her hips suggest that she has had several children. Though her body shows to be heavy, she still seems to almost be weightless. Viewing the Venus de Milo, she changes from side to side. From her right side she seems almost like a pillar and her leg bears most of the weight. She seems be firmly planted into the earth, and since she is looking at the left, her big features such as her waist define her. The Venus de Milo had a band around her right bicep. She had earrings that were brutally stolen, ripping her ears away. Venus was noted for loving necklaces, so it is very possibly she would have had one. It is also possible she had a tiara and bracelets. Venus was normally defined as “golden,” so her hair would have been painted. Two statues in the same region, have throughout history, changed in their style.

Compare and Contrast Essay

Most introductory art history classes will ask students to write a compare and contrast essay about two pieces – examples include comparing and contrasting a medieval to a renaissance painting. It is always best to start with smaller comparisons between the two works of art such as the medium of the piece. Then the comparison can include attention to detail so use of color, subject matter, or iconography. Do the same for contrasting the two pieces – start small. After the foundation is set move on to the analysis and what these comparisons or contrasting material mean – ‘what is the bigger picture here?’ Consider why one artist would wish to show the same subject matter in a different way, how, when, etc are all questions to ask in the compare and contrast essay. If during an exam it would be best to quickly outline the points to make before tackling writing the essay.

Compare and Contrast Example:

Stele of Hammurabi from Susa (modern Shush, Iran), ca. 1792 – 1750 BCE, Basalt, height of stele approx. 7’ height of relief 28’

Stele, relief sculpture, Art as propaganda – Hammurabi shows that his law code is approved by the gods, depiction of land in background, Hammurabi on the same place of importance as the god, etc.

Top of this stele shows the relief image of Hammurabi receiving the law code from Shamash, god of justice, Code of Babylonian social law, only two figures shown, different area and time period, etc.

Stele of Naram-sin , Sippar Found at Susa c. 2220 - 2184 bce. Limestone, height 6'6"

Stele, relief sculpture, Example of propaganda because the ruler (like the Stele of Hammurabi) shows his power through divine authority, Naramsin is the main character due to his large size, depiction of land in background, etc.

Akkadian art, made of limestone, the stele commemorates a victory of Naramsin, multiple figures are shown specifically soldiers, different area and time period, etc.

Iconography

Regardless of what essay approach you take in class it is absolutely necessary to understand how to analyze the iconography of a work of art and to incorporate into your paper. Iconography is defined as subject matter, what the image means. For example, why do things such as a small dog in a painting in early Northern Renaissance paintings represent sexuality? Additionally, how can an individual perhaps identify these motifs that keep coming up?

The following is a list of symbols and their meaning in Marriage a la Mode by William Hogarth (1743) that is a series of six paintings that show the story of marriage in Hogarth’s eyes.

• Man has pockets turned out symbolizing he has lost money and was recently in a fight by the state of his clothes.
• Lap dog shows loyalty but sniffs at woman’s hat in the husband’s pocket showing sexual exploits.
• Black dot on husband’s neck believed to be symbol of syphilis.
• Mantel full of ugly Chinese porcelain statues symbolizing that the couple has no class.
• Butler had to go pay bills, you can tell this by the distasteful look on his face and that his pockets are stuffed with bills and papers.
• Card game just finished up, women has directions to game under foot, shows her easily cheating nature.
• Paintings of saints line a wall of the background room, isolated from the living, shows the couple’s complete disregard to faith and religion.
• The dangers of sexual excess are underscored in the Hograth by placing Cupid among ruins, foreshadowing the inevitable ruin of the marriage.
• Eventually the series (other five paintings) shows that the woman has an affair, the men duel and die, the woman hangs herself and the father takes her ring off her finger symbolizing the one thing he could salvage from the marriage.

ARTS - Herzberg: Writing Essays About Art

• Art History
• Current Artists and Events
• Local Art Venues
• Video and Image Resources
• Writing Essays About Art
• Citation Help

What is a Compare and Contrast Essay?

What is a compare / contrast essay.

In Art History and Appreciation, contrast / compare essays allow us to examine the features of two or more artworks.

• Comparison -- points out similarities in the two artworks
• Contrast -- points out the differences in the two artworks

Why would you want to write this type of essay?

• To inform your reader about characteristics of each art piece.
• To show a relationship between different works of art.
• To give your reader an insight into the process of artistic invention.
• Use your assignment sheet from your class to find specific characteristics that your professor wants you to compare.

How is Writing a Compare / Contrast Essay in Art History Different from Other Subjects?

You should use art vocabulary to describe your subjects..

• Find art terms in your textbook or an art glossary or dictionary

You should have an image of the works you are writing about in front of you while you are writing your essay.

• The images should be of  high enough quality that you can see the small details of the works. 
• You will use them when describing visual details of each art work.

Works of art are highly influenced by the culture, historical time period and movement in which they were created.

• You should gather information about these BEFORE you start writing your essay.

If you describe a characteristic of one piece of art, you must describe how the OTHER piece of art treats that characteristic.

Example:  You are comparing a Greek amphora with a sculpture from the Tang Dynasty in China.

If you point out that the color palette of the amphora is limited to black, white and red, you must also write about the colors used in the horse sculpture.

Organizing Your Essay

Thesis statement.

The thesis for a comparison/contrast essay will present the subjects under consideration and indicate whether the focus will be on their similarities, on their differences, or both.

Thesis example using the amphora and horse sculpture -- Differences:

While they are both made from clay, the Greek amphora and the Tang Dynasty horse served completely different functions in their respective cultures.

Thesis example -- Similarities:

Ancient Greek and Tang Dynasty ceramics have more in common than most people realize.

Thesis example -- Both:

The Greek amphora and the Tang Dynasty horse were used in different ways in different parts of the world, but they have similarities that may  not be apparent to the casual viewer.

Visualizing a Compare & Contrast Essay: 

Introduction (1-2 paragraphs) .

• Creates interest in your essay
• Introduces the two art works that you will be comparing.
• States your thesis, which mentions the art works you are considering and may indicate whether the focus will be on similarities, differences, or both. 

Body paragraphs 

• Make and explain a point about the first subject and then about the second subject 
• Example: While both superheroes fight crime, their motivation is vastly different. Superman is an idealist, who fights for justice …… while Batman is out for vengeance. 

Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs) 

• Provides a satisfying finish 
• Leaves your reader with a strong final impression. 

Downloadable Essay Guide

• How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay in Art History Downloadable version of the description on this LibGuide.

Questions to Ask Yourself After You Have Finished Your Essay

• Are all the important points of comparison or contrast included and explained in enough detail?
• Have you addressed all points that your professor specified in your assignment?
• Do you use transitions to connect your arguments so that your essay flows into a coherent whole, rather than just a random collection of statements?
• Do your arguments support your thesis statement?

Art Terminology

• British National Gallery: Art Glossary Includes entries on artists, art movements, techniques, etc.

Lee College Writing Center

Writing Center tutors can help you with any writing assignment for any class from the time you receive the assignment instructions until you turn it in, including:

• Brainstorming ideas
• MLA / APA formats
• Grammar and paragraph unity
• Thesis statements
• Second set of eyes before turning in

Contact a tutor:

• Phone: 281-425-6534
• Email:  w [email protected]
• Schedule a web appointment: https://lee.mywconline.com/

Other Compare / Contrast Writing Resources

• Southwestern University Guide for Writing About Art This easy to follow guide explains the basic of writing an art history paper.
• Purdue Online Writing Center: writing essays in art history Describes how to write an art history Compare and Contrast paper.
• Stanford University: a brief guide to writing in art history See page 24 of this document for an explanation of how to write a compare and contrast essay in art history.
• Duke University: writing about paintings Downloadable handout provides an overview of areas you should cover when you write about paintings, including a list of questions your essay should answer.
• << Previous: Video and Image Resources
• Next: Citation Help >>
• Last Updated: Jun 19, 2023 4:30 PM
• URL: https://lee.libguides.com/Arts_Herzberg

How to Write an Art Comparison Essay

Jared lewis, 25 jun 2018.

Writing an art comparison essay can be a difficult task for the novice art student. Students of art or art history often assume that any interpretation is as good as another, but in reality, to adequately interpret a work of art and then compare it to another, you will need to learn a little about the artist and the historical context of the composition.

Research the historical context of each piece of art. In order to adequately understand any work of art you must understand the circumstances under which it was produced. Artists are considered cultural innovators and often have an idea or truth they are trying to convey with any given composition or group of compositions. You have to first understand the artist as a person before you can adequately understand the meaning of his or her work. In order to understand the artist as a person you will also need to understand the time in which they lived. Picking up a good art history or humanities textbook will help you get started understanding the context.

Find the similarities and differences. Once you have placed each work within the proper context and before you actually begin to write your essay, sit down with a sheet of paper and a pen or pencil and write down the similarities and differences in each work. Questions to consider are the historical, political, philosophical, and religious differences of the time in which each work was composed. What do each of these works say about these issues? Do the works contain any symbolism? If so, how do the symbols differ and how are they similar? What do the symbols tell the observer about each composition?

Consider the medium through which the piece of art was created. Is it a painting or sculpture? Is the art representational or abstract? Is there a technique or style used that tells the observer something about the meaning of the composition? Who or what are the subjects of the work? The questions you can ask regarding any particular work of art are actually unlimited, but should always include some of these basic questions.

Compose your essay. Once you have analyzed each key piece of art you should develop some type of thesis statement related to that analysis. For instance, a comparison of any of Jackson Pollack's works with Van Gogh's "Starry Night" might yield a thesis statement indicating that both artists expressed themselves similarly by painting in a manner that revealed their inner emotions. Van Gogh was known to cake the paint onto the canvas and create a visible texture that was reminiscent of his inner torment while Pollack's abstract art was created by slopping paint onto large canvases, often in a drunken rage. You can then compare and contrast the elements of each composition to reveal how these artists methods were similar. The key to writing a good comparison and contrast essay is to be as clear and concise as possible, but also to be as detailed as possible regarding each element of the compositions.

Revise your work. If you are submitting your work for a grade you should take the time to reread and revise your essay before turning it in. Even the best writers rarely get their work exactly right on the first try. Have someone else proofread and offer suggestions for revision if possible. It is generally much easier for someone else to spot clarity issues and point them out than it is for you to do it yourself. Getting a little help from a friend, family member, or colleague is a great way to strengthen your writing and increase your chances of getting a positive response from the reader.

• 1 Academy of Art University: Compare/Contrast Art History Essay

About the Author

Jared Lewis is a professor of history, philosophy and the humanities. He has taught various courses in these fields since 2001. A former licensed financial adviser, he now works as a writer and has published numerous articles on education and business. He holds a bachelor's degree in history, a master's degree in theology and has completed doctoral work in American history.

Related Articles

How to Explain Abstract Art to Children

Michelangelo Art Lesson Ideas for Kids

How to Teach 8 to 12 Year Old Art

How to Write About Appreciation of Artwork

How to Do an In-Text Citation for Art in MLA

How to Answer Compare and Contrast Questions

A Grading Rubric for Art in Higher Education

Types of Art Degrees

Arabesques in Islamic Art

How to Write an Art Exhibition Paper

How To Teach Art to Kids

Fiction Explication Vs. Analysis

How to Teach Poetry in 3rd Grade

How to Write a Conclusion for a Rhetorical Analysis

How to Analyze Poems in College

The Differences Between Reaction Paper & Reflection...

How to Write a Descriptive Essay on a Sculpture

How to Write a Historiographical Essay

Advanced Writing Techniques

How to Write a Comic Book

Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers.

• Accessibility
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Copyright Policy
• Manage Preferences

© 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer .

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons
• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

4.56: Compare Artworks—Different Periods and Cultures

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 28296
• Lumen Learning

Most Popular

11 days ago

English and Social Studies Teachers Pioneer AI Usage in Schools, Study Finds

13 days ago

Best Summarising Strategies for Students

How to cite page numbers in apa.

12 days ago

What is Accidental Plagiarism

Is summarizing books a good way to retain knowledge redditors weigh in, two art periods and their major works essay sample, example.

The Renaissance Era refers to a period of rebirth in art. It was a cultural movement that took place between the classical and modern periods of art (Johnson, 2005). During this phase, there were significant developments occurring within different art forms. The artists widely reflected the culture, social conditions, and political structure of their societies. They went beyond the boundaries of classical art, and created art with unconventional ideas, and depicted the political and social conditions of their societies (Earls, 1987).

Neoclassicism , also called the Era of Enlightenment, is the period after the Renaissance, during which artists mainly focused on exploring and recreating classical art, especially Greek and Roman styles. During this period, the artists widely emphasized reviving the classic antiquity that highly inspired the art pieces created during this period. It was in reaction to peoples’ opposition to Romanticism (Bietoletti, 2009).

There are some renowned artists who made major contributions in the emergence and development of Renaissance art. For instance, Michelangelo is a notable name in the history of art, playing a vital role in the fruition of Renaissance art. He was an Italian painter, sculptor, and poet who adopted several unconventional styles of art and significantly contributed towards the progress of western art during this period. He introduced versatility within the art forms, and created several masterpieces that truly represent Renaissance art by depicting certain social, cultural, and political issues.

An important creation of Michelangelo’s during the Renaissance phase was the marble statue of a nude standing male named David. The statue was made to represent the biblical hero David who was one of the most favored subjects within Florentine art. The statue David depicts the political situation of the country. With a warning glare in the eye turned toward Rome, the statue symbolizes the defense of the civil liberty of the Florentine Republic that was threatened by the surrounding powerful states during that time. The statue is an excellent and renowned example of the Renaissance Era because it reflects the political and social conditions of that time.

The Neoclassicism Era also gave birth to many exemplary artists (Chilvers, 2004), including Antonio Canova, who was an Italian sculptor from the Republic of Venice. His art pieces indicate the return of art towards classical refinement. His statue Psyche Revised by Cupid Kiss is an important example of neoclassical devotion to love and reflection of intricate emotions. The statue shows the love god Cupid at the heights of tenderness and affection, kissing the lifeless Psyche to make it alive. The statue reflects the Roman style of portraying delicate emotions within art, for which it has been regarded as an example of the Neoclassical Movement.

Earls, I. (1987). Renaissance Art: A Topical Dictionary , London: ABC-CLIO, 1987.

Bietoletti, S. (2009). Neoclassicism & Romanticism . NY: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.

Johnson, G.A. (2005). Renaissance Art: A Very Short Introduction . Oxford: Oxford University Press, Jul 28, 2005.

Chilvers, I. (2004).  The Oxford Dictionary of Art. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.

Comments (0)

Welcome to A*Help comments!

We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.

We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More from Compare and Contrast Essay Examples and Samples

Nov 27 2023

Rationalism vs Empiricism

Classical vs Operant Conditioning

Nov 20 2023

Courage vs Bravery

Related writing guides, writing a compare and contrast essay.

Remember Me

What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other

Forgotten Password?

Username or Email

Dr. Mark Womack

Essay 3: Compare & Contrast Two Paintings

Write a two-to-three-page (500-800 words) essay that describes and analyzes a pair of paintings on a similar subject matter.

Choose ONE of the following pairs of paintings to analyze:

• Family Portrait by Rembrandt & Family Group by William Glackens
• The First Steps by Marguerite Gérard & First Steps by Vincent van Gogh
• Paris, A Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte & Rainy Day on Fifth Avenue by Childe Hassam.

Describe the two paintings in detail so that your readers can easily visualize them without actually seeing them. Explain how the perspective, technique, and compositional features of each painting help create contrasting rhetorical effects. In your analysis, focus on two or three specific points of contrast. Support your analysis by referring to specific details from each painting.

Your analysis should present both your own observations and library research. The essay must include at least FOUR sources documented in proper MLA format, with in-text, parenthetical references and a list of Works Cited. Two of your sources will be primary sources–the two paintings you analyze–and two will be secondary sources–historical or critical commentary relevant to the paintings. (Please note: encyclopedias–including on-line encyclopedias like Wikipedia–do not count as sources for this assignment.)

Give your essay a thesis and a clear, logical organization. Your first paragraph should start with a strong lead, provide any necessary background information, and end with a clear thesis statement. The next paragraph should establish the similarities between the two paintings and describe them. Then, in two or three paragraphs, present the points of contrast between the two paintings. Be sure to support your analysis with specific details from the paintings. In your final paragraph, summarize your main points and clearly present the significance of your analysis. Each paragraph should have a strong topic sentence.

Write your essay in a classic prose style: clear and concise, specific and engaging.

Make every word count.

Due: November 4 (Bring THREE copies of your essay to class for Peer Critiques.)

Here are images of the paintings you can use for your analysis. Click on each image to enlarge it.

Rembrandt. Family Portrait . 1665. Oil on canvas. Herzog-Anton-Ulrich-Museum, Braunschweig.

Glackens, William. Family Group . 1910. Oil on canvas. National Gallery of Art, Washington D. C.

First Steps

Gérard, Marguerite. The First Steps . 1788. Oil on canvas. Yuspuov Palace Museum, Leningrad.

van Gogh, Vincent. First Steps . 1890. Oil on canvas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Caillebotte, Gustave. Paris, A Rainy Day . 1877. Oil on canvas. Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago.

Hassam, Childe. A Rainy Day on Fifth Avenue . 1893. Oil on canvas. The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota.

Download: Essay 3: Compare & Contrast Two Paintings

Home — Essay Samples — Arts & Culture — Pablo Picasso — Comparative analysis in art: Pablo Picasso And Henry Moore

Comparative Analysis in Art: Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore

• Categories: Art History Comparative Analysis Pablo Picasso

About this sample

Words: 2436 |

13 min read

Published: Jun 16, 2021

Words: 2436 | Pages: 5 | 13 min read

In this essay, we have explored two distinct artworks, Henry Moore's "Woman Seated in the Underground" and Pablo Picasso's "Bullfight Scene," each offering unique perspectives on their subjects. Both artists demonstrate that art can convey powerful emotions and truths without necessarily reproducing reality with true-to-life detail. They use their chosen mediums and compositions to offer their unique perspectives on the world, inviting viewers to interpret and engage with their works on a deeper level.

These two artists employ different visual languages and mediums to convey their messages. Picasso's rapid ink strokes and the use of watered-down ink create a sense of motion and depth in his depiction of the bullfight, while Moore's drawings rely on a network of nervous, scratchy lines and subdued watercolors to evoke the collective suffering of shelterers during wartime.

The interpretation of these works often requires a deeper understanding of the artists' intentions and backgrounds. Moore's Underground drawings, for example, were initially misinterpreted by the British public, who felt excluded from the Underground world he portrayed. Picasso's "Bullfight Scene" may be seen as a celebration of tradition or as a foreshadowing of the artist's later years, and the debate surrounding its themes is ongoing.

Table of contents

Art comparison essay outline, art comparison essay example, introduction.

• Introduction to the essay's focus on comparing Henry Moore's "Woman Seated in the Underground" and Pablo Picasso's "Bullfight Scene"

Picasso's "Bullfight Scene"

• Description of Picasso's artwork, including its medium, size, and subject matter
• Analysis of Picasso's emphasis on motion and form over fine detail
• Discussion of the use of ink and tonal variation to depict the bullfight

Moore's "Woman Seated in the Underground"

• Description of Moore's artwork, including its medium, size, and historical context during the Blitz
• Examination of the portrayal of a woman in the London Underground during wartime
• Analysis of the use of media, line, and body language to convey atmosphere and mood

Differences in Visual Languages

• Exploration of the distinct visual languages employed by Picasso and Moore
• Discussion of how their backgrounds and artistic approaches influenced their respective artworks

Interpreting the Artworks

• Argument against the necessity of true-to-life detail for successful portrayal
• Examination of how the public's interpretation of Moore's artwork differed from his intentions
• Analysis of the need for viewers to decode and understand the artist's "truth" in both artworks

Analysis of Pablo Picasso's "The Weeping Woman"

• Description of Picasso's artwork "The Weeping Woman"
• Analysis of its vibrant colors and distorted features
• Interpretation of the artwork's emotional and symbolic elements
• Summary of the comparisons and interpretations of both sets of artworks
• Reflection on the artists' abilities to convey emotions and meaning through their chosen mediums
• Final thoughts on the subjective nature of art interpretation

Analysis of Pablo Picasso’s Artwork “The Weeping Woman”

Works cited.

• Ashford, D. (2007). Henry Moore: Art and Life. Yale University Press.
• Carey, F. (1988). Henry Moore. Tate Gallery Publishing.
• Moore, H. (1988). A Shelter Sketchbook. Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd.
• Newton, E. (1945). Henry Moore: Sculpture and Drawings 1921-1948. Thames and Hudson.
• Penrose, R., & Golding, J. (1981). Picasso: Sculptor/Painter. Museum of Modern Art.
• Phaidon. (2013). 10 Works of Art That Capture the Spirit of London. Phaidon Press.
• Picasso, P. (1960). Bullfight Scene. Ink on paper, 480 x 623 mm. Museu Picasso.
• Tate. (2004). Henry Moore: Woman Seated in the Underground. Tate Britain. Retrieved from https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/moore-woman-seated-in-the-underground-t03139
• Tate. (n.d.). Henry Moore 1898-1986. Tate Britain. Retrieved from https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/henry-moore-349
• Wood, P. (1999). The Challenge of the Avant-Garde. Yale University Press.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Arts & Culture Business

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1581 words

3 pages / 1176 words

7 pages / 3054 words

3 pages / 1515 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Pablo Picasso

Sporre, D.J. (2014). Perceiving the arts: An introduction to humanities. New York: Pearson College Div 

Pablo Picasso is an artist whom I greatly admire and find inspirational. His contributions to the art world have made him famous during both the 20th and 21st centuries. Throughout his life, Picasso was incredibly prolific, [...]

Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo are two renowned artists who have made significant contributions to the art world. Despite their contrasting styles and s, there are several intriguing similarities between these two artists. In [...]

The piece of art that will be focused on is “The Old Guitarist” by Pablo Picasso. It was created in 1904 in Barcelona, Spain. This is an oil painting on canvas, and the size is roughly 122.9 cm by 82.6 cm. It is currently on [...]

The piece of artwork that has influenced me and my work personally the most was “The Weeping Woman” by Pablo Picasso. Picasso has been someone I’ve studied throughout my lifetime and has been a huge influence to many. There are [...]

Pablo Picasso has made a change in history with his meaningful paintings. He was born on October 25, 1881, and learned about art at an early age. He became a painter, sculptor, printmaker, stage designer, ceramicist, playwright [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• About Art Class Curator
• Media & Press
• Programs for Schools
• Member Login
• Search this website

Art Class Curator

Hands-on and Minds-curious Art Learning

Experience Art Book and Card Deck on Kickstarter!

March 28, 2016 6 Comments

How to Compare and Contrast Art to Teach Art History

Inside: Use these techniques artwork examples to compare and contrast art in your classroom. Art comparison help students see the art in a new way and make the conventions of an art movement more clear and understandable.

If I had to pick my favorite teaching method for art history, it probably would be compare and contrast art. When you place two artworks next to each other, new ways of understanding the art can open up!

There are multiple ways to compare and contrast art:

• comparing works of art from the same art movement or period to look for commonalities and shared themes,
• comparing two depictions of the same subject,
• comparing works of art from one period with works from the period that came before,
• and probably many more!

Using Compare and Contrast to Teach Art History

In this post, I focus on comparing works from one period with art from the period that comes before. I love this method because, in addition to reviewing prior knowledge, you teach students to discover the conventions of the art movement or period on their own.

It’s easy to tell students that the conventions of Baroque art are contrasted between light and dark, intimate compositions, use of contemporary everyday models, foreshortening, etc, but they won’t remember it unless they find those things for themselves. When you put a Baroque artwork next to a Renaissance artwork, those conventions become immediately clear.

Use the following artwork pairs to have students better understand and connect with the conventions and themes of the art periods.

Get the Full Lesson!

This Lesson is in The Curated Connections Library!

Find the full lesson from this post along with hundreds of other art teaching resources and trainings in the Curated Connections Library. Click here for more information about how to join or enter your email below for a free SPARKworks lesson from the membership!

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Renaissance/Baroque

In my Italian Baroque lesson (which you can download as a member of The Curated Connections Library ), I have 4 sets of images that I print and have students compare and contrast art in small groups. My favorite set is Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper and Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus .

Lead a discussion on these artworks being sure to note the differences in the lighting, the people, the setting/background, the positions of the people, the lines, and the colors.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Ancient Rome/Byzantine

After Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, art took a drastic turn from the focus on man to the focus on God. I love to compare this Roman mosaic with the mosaic of Justinian and his attendant.

The differences in subject matter are clear. The Roman artwork glorifies the strength and the body of a man while the Byzantine artwork no longer shows the men with realistic proportions in art . Students will note the differences in body proportions, the use of color and pattern, and the Byzantine complexity vs. the Roman simplicity.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples:  Romanesque/Gothic

Romanesque is kind of a weird art period to teach. It is so varied and transitional. Putting a Romanesque building next to a Gothic really trains students to look closely at details and notice the glory and impressive engineering of a Gothic Cathedral!

Check out this past post on teaching Gothic architecture for more information about this side-by-side.

Resource Library Subscribers: Download the Gothic PowerPoint .

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Neoclassical/Romantic

The honor and stoicism of Neoclassical art is a great contrast to the emotional turmoil of Romanticism. Compare David’s Oath of the Horatii with Delacroix’s Lady Liberty Leading the People .

Patriotism and nationalism are key themes in both of these art movements, but this manifested in their art in incredibly different ways. This art comparison works really well too with a poetry writing exercise. Have students write haikus about the paintings, and then compare the language used in each.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Impressionism/Post-Impressionism

I find Post-Impressionism a little harder to teach than other art movements. It’s mainly just a collection of artists in this strange transition period between Impressionism and Modern Art. It’s Impressionism but it’s not. It’s Fauvism but it’s not.

Putting a Van Gogh next to a Monet works as an art comparison because you can really notice the addition of emotion. I describe Post-Impressionism to my students as Impressionism+Emotion+Bolder, Unrealistic Colors.

Classroom Connection

The compare and contrast art activity from the bundle of free art appreciation worksheets  is a great way to get students thinking.

What other artworks do you like to compare and contrast with your students? Please share in the comments!

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

Reader Interactions

September 24, 2020 at 4:25 pm

I just wanted to say thank you for this inspirational lesson. I am a coach for Academic Decathlon and I am not an art expert so this was a great way to get the students to look at the different periods in a more engaging way then listening to me lecture. We are currently virtual so I divided the compare/contrasts for different groups to discuss and post their ideas on different google slides then I linked each art period to more background information using The Art Story website so they could expand/confirm what they noticed.

October 1, 2020 at 12:19 pm

What a great way to use this resource! Thank you for sharing! 🙂

February 4, 2021 at 9:05 pm

this is really helpful for me thank you

February 9, 2021 at 5:55 am

You’re welcome!

October 14, 2020 at 8:21 pm

your Van Gogh painting has the wrong date. It isn’t 1989. not sure the exact date but I know it wasn’t in after I was born LOL. Otherwise great info thank you

October 20, 2020 at 9:22 am

Thank you for bringing this to our awareness! We’ll get the date corrected.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Get Art Inspiration To Your Inbox!

Free Worksheets!

*Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets*

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Related Topics

Compare contrast two art pieces essay.

Academic anxiety?

Get original paper in 3 hours and nail the task

124 experts online

Compare Contrast Essay

The two art pieces I chose to compare are Priscilla Johnson, 1966 by Alice Neel and The Seated Women, 1917 by Egon Schiele. These two painting depict two young women who are sitting and convey messages to the person looking at the art piece. Each painting is unique unto itself but they both have many similarities and differences.

The painting by Alice Neel depicts Priscilla Johnson’s a young American from the 1960s. Her green dress her posture and hair all suggest that she is very fashionable and has money. The mood or tone of this painting is one of unease or anxiety. As you look at her face it is very unnerving. She has intense green eyes and her lips are clamped tight together. She has elongated feet and hands and the feet are pointed straight down. The painting suggests that she might be waiting for someone to come into the room. Even the chair she is sitting in is very stiff and the legs seem to just stab right into the carpet. She has talon like fingers and blue pointed shoes. As if this was not enough unease for the painting; there are leaves that seem to be just creeping onto Priscilla like a hand you might see in some horror movie. Alice Neel’s painting of Priscilla Johnson is contemporary oil on canvas painting. This painting was created in my opinion to shows some kind of feeling that Alice Neel might have been having at the time

The second piece of art was done be Egon Schiele in 1917. The painting The Seated Women is very similar to Priscilla Johnson. Both are contemporary art pieces that are of women who are about the same age. Each woman is sitting down and seems to be waiting for someone else. Each painting tells a story about the young women. Both of these paintings use similar colors of green and brown. Like the painting of Priscilla the other girl has a clenched jaw and tight lips. Each woman is wearing eye liner and lipstick. One of the biggest important similarities that I see in both of these paintings is that the artist seemed to leave the painting unfinished. For me that tells me that there is hope and that something in these women’s life might still change. These paintings do have many similarities but they also have many differences.

Unlike the painting of Priscilla the painting of the Seated Women is one of more relaxation. She is sitting with her legs spread apart and seems to be a lot more inviting. She has her head resting on her leg and is holding her leg with both hands. This painting is very sad because she seems to have been in an abusive relationship. She has bruises on her face and along both of her arms. She is wearing black stockings that cover her legs which might suggest that there are more bruises. As you look into her eyes she has a look as if she is angry but thinks that there is no hope for change.

Completley different from Priscilla who is sitting with objects in the room; this other woman is alone and isolated. The clothes that each woman wear also tell us were each of these women might stand socially. Unlike Priscilla the other women is wearing older rags that hang off her body. The one thing that set these two paintings apart for me is the hair. The hair in each of these paintings is very different. Priscilla’s hair is straight down and has been maintained while the other women’s hair is wild and unkempt. The hair in each of these paintings reflects the attitude that each women has.

I chose both of these paintings because they show the extreme difference’s of two different types of women. I like how they conveyed the emotion through the postures of each of these women.

Both of these women are from two different worlds. They have different moods, posture, attitude and class. But they are still very similar in that they are both oil on canvas paintings of women who are sitting and are about the same age. Each of these paintings are very well done and amazing pieces of art.

This essay was written by a fellow student. You may use it as a guide or sample for writing your own paper, but remember to cite it correctly . Don’t submit it as your own as it will be considered plagiarism.

Need custom essay sample written special for your assignment?

Choose skilled expert on your subject and get original paper with free plagiarism report

Compare Contrast Two Art Pieces Essay. (2018, Feb 16). Retrieved from https://artscolumbia.org/compare-contrast-two-art-pieces-42562/

More related essays

• Words 15854

AP Art History 250 Required Images

Music Appreciation Flashcard

Art History, Online

• Words 18304

Art Renaissance to Modern

Arts flashcard section 6

History of Costume exam 2

BCS Renaissance

• Words 30691

Feb 27st: Early Renaissance Art

MUS 101 – Test 1 Answers

Hi, my name is Amy 👋

In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready to help you write a unique paper. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best match.