\magnification=\magstep1
\centerline{MONT 105N -- Analyzing Environmental Data}
\centerline{Five Page Paper Assignment -- Views of Nature in Art}
\centerline{due: March 1, 2013}
\bigskip
\noindent
This assignment is based on your viewing and discussion of the four works 
chosen for our seminar at the Worcester Art Museum in our visit on Thursday, February 21:
\bigskip
\item{1.}  {\it Crossbow and Dead Game}, by Jan Fyt (Flemish, mid-17th century)
\item{2.}  {\it Shipwreck}, by Hubert Robert (French, about 1800)
\item{3.}  {\it Looking East from Denny Hill}, by Ralph Earl (American, 1800)
\item{4.}  {\it The Peaceable Kingdom}, by Edward Hicks (American, about 1833)
\bigskip
\noindent
(Note: You can find electronic image files of all of these online if you want to 
refresh your memories about them and/or check details.  But seeing a 
small electronically-rendered photograph is no substitute for the actual 
experience of seeing the work in its true scale with your own eyes.  If 
you do view them online, please include the URL and the date you downloaded 
the image in your list of sources consulted.)
\bigskip
\noindent
{\it Assignment}
\bigskip
\noindent
You should compose an essay addressing all of the following questions.  
\bigskip
\item{1.}  Is any of these a portrayal of the natural world {\it as it actually
is}?   Is there some aspect of human (or other) influence on the natural 
world that we see in each of them?  
\item{2.}  (``Compare and contrast'')  Can you identify a specific view of 
the relationship between humans and the natural world {\it in each of these works}?  
Are some different from others?  Are some similar to others?  
In what ways?  What choices (both in the subjects the artists chose to paint, 
and in how those subjects are portrayed, the painting techniques used, 
etc.) have the artists made to highlight those views?  Discuss any external 
(e.g. historical, literary, scriptural) sources for the images that you can 
identify.
\item{3.}  Which of these paintings made the biggest impression on you and why?  
Taken purely as an example of painting, I think many (or even most) 
art critics and art historians would probably say that {\it Shipwreck} 
by Hubert Robert is superior to any of the others.  Would you agree?  
Why or why not?  
\bigskip
\noindent
Most of these questions are {\it not} asking solely for a personal opinion.  
So you should try as much as possible to justify what you are saying by 
citing details from or about the paintings as evidence.  
\bigskip
\noindent
{\it Important Note:}  It is perfectly OK with me if you 
want to share a rough draft of your essay with other
students in the class, or with me, to get comments and 
suggestions.  ``Testing out'' your ideas that way 
is often an important part of getting them down on 
paper in an effective form.   
\bigskip
\noindent
Prepare your essay using Microsoft Word and submit as a {\tt .doc} 
file attachment to this email address:
\bigskip
\centerline{\tt jlittle@holycross.edu} 
\bigskip
\noindent
Your assignment should arrive in my inbox no later than 5:00pm on 
Friday, March 1.   Aim for around 5 
double-spaced pages.  (Going a bit short or long is 
OK, though, as long as you have addressed the 
questions above adequately and succinctly.)
\bigskip
\noindent
For this assignment, your are not expected or required to
refer to any sources.  But if you do, please 
include a complete listing of all sources you consulted
in a numbered References section at the end.  
If you take a direct quotation from one
of them,  identify it with an in-line reference of 
the form ``(number, page)'' where the number refers to the 
list of references at the end.  Include a page number
for printed sources; if you use online sources, that part
can be omitted since there is usually not anything corresponding
to a physical page number anyway(!)
 
\end

