For this assignment you will write a short essay in three parts:
1) Your own subjective reaction to the architecture and mosaics of Ravenna, as you experienced them through our study materials on Study Guide 1.
2) An objective description of one specific mosaic’s iconography, choose from any located in Ravenna that were presented in the assigned readings and videos.
3) A description of the techniques and materials used.
In the Introduction to Art Historical Analysis by Robert Glass (Links to an external site.), he identifies a lot of different approaches. For this short essay assignment, review what he says about FUNCTION, ICONOGRAPHY, and ART AS A CULTURAL ARTIFACT.
After you have reviewed all the readings that deal with Ravenna, begin the subjective part of your essay.
-What impressed you the most? Write at least 50 words about your personal reactions. Your opinions are always interesting and valuable to me, but for our work together this term, I want you to back up your opinions with observable facts. Support general statements with specifics. Tell me exactly what made you have the reaction you did. Were you surprised? What surprised you? Were you amazed? What specific things amazed you? Did questions pop into your mind? Were you bored to tears? You will probably have to go back over the study materials more than once to pay attention to your own reactions and ponder them for a while.
Then the objective part of your essay.
-Choose one of the mosaics located in Ravenna from the links below:
The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/medieval-world/early-christian-art/early-christian-architecture/v/the-mausoleum-of-galla-placidia-ravenna
San Vitale, Ravenna, 10 minute video
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/medieval-world/byzantine1/venice-ravenna/v/justinian-and-his-attendants-6th-century-ravenna?modal=1
Describe it objectively, including discussion of its iconography, techniques and materials. Don’t go Googling around, it’s a waste of time. Stick to the specifically listed sources and works on the study guide. Since all the data comes from one of these sources, you need to footnote this section of your essay. Remember to write in your own words, but also to cite your sources.