First, read Sylvan Barnet’s chapter on “Analytic Thinking” (this is chapter 4 in the 11
th edition, but the
table of contents differs in older versions).
Next, choose one of the virtual museum exhibitions provided below. If you prefer and are able, you
may instead visit a local museum.
Spend time clicking through/“visiting” the exhibition of your choice. Look closely at the artworks;
read the text and watch any videos, if applicable. Be sure to zoom on objects and move the images
around to look at different details. Take notes on the things you notice.
Closely consider the main subject(s) of the presentation, and how the included objects relate with each
other and to the broader themes.
Now, choose one object from the exhibition and write a thesis-driven, 4-5 page (double-spaced)
paper analyzing how this artwork reflects the main theme(s) of the presentation.
Use visual and contextual analysis to support your thesis, and include at least 2 outside scholarly
sources (such as journal articles) to elaborate on the object’s importance and relevance to the
exhibition.
At the end of your paper, include a bibliography and list of illustrations. Cite your sources using
footnotes per the Chicago Manual of Style. A good guideline for citations exists here:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formatt
ing_and_style_guide/periodicals.html
Be sure to:
• Describe the themes of the exhibition and the overall objective of the curators;
• situate one object from the exhibition within the overall narrative that is being conveyed by the
presentation (you may of course compare your chosen object to other objects in the exhibition,
to create context);
• develop a thesis (argument) that revolves around your chosen object’s relevance to the
exhibition theme(s);
• draw on 2 (or more) outside scholarly sources (i.e. journal articles) to support your claims.
Sample Solution