The field of art history is an expansive subject, and the format of an art history paper can vary greatly depending on the purpose and topic. When writing an art history paper, it is important to remember that the focus should be on the visual analysis of a piece or pieces of art. Often times, a student will be asked to compare and contrast different works of art in order to draw conclusions about their various styles, techniques, and meanings.
When writing an art history paper, there are some general guidelines that should be followed. First, it is important to have a clear and specific thesis statement which outlines both the scope of the paper as well as its main argument.
This statement should be placed at the beginning of the paper and will form the basis for all subsequent discussion. Additionally, students should use appropriate sources when researching for their papers. This includes both primary sources such as museum catalogues or artist biographies as well as secondary sources such as scholarly articles or books on art history.
When developing an argument in an art history paper, it is important to use evidence from both visual analysis and any relevant scholarship. Visual analysis should include close examination of elements such as line, color, texture, composition, space etc., while scholarship can provide historical context for understanding how a particular work fits into its stylistic milieu. It is also important to consider how different works might interact with each other in terms of style or meaning; this can lead to more interesting conclusions than if one simply considers each work in isolation.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, when writing an art history paper it is important to remember that the focus should remain on visual analysis combined with any relevant scholarship. The format for this type of paper can vary depending on purpose and topic but generally should include a clear thesis statement at the beginning supported by evidence from visual analysis and scholarship throughout.