How the visual arts developed in the 17th through 20th centuries.

Write a 4–6-page explanation of visual aesthetic principles in art from the Baroque period through the early twentieth century. Then, assess the impact of contemporary aesthetic principles as used in commercial design.

This assessment allows you to demonstrate your understanding of foundational principles in the visual arts.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Describe the historical development of the humanities from the pre-historic era to the present.
  • Describe how the visual arts developed in the 17th through 20th centuries.
  • Competency 2: Examine the forms of expression that instantiate the arts and humanities.
    • Explain the aesthetic principles expressed in the visual arts.
  • Competency 3: Integrate the humanities with everyday life.
    • Illustrate the use of visual arts in commercial design.
    • Assess how visual images in advertising influence our buying habits.
  • Competency 4: Communicate effectively in forms appropriate to the humanities.
    • Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Competency Map

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS Use this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course.

Context

The history and development of the visual arts can best be understood through a series of distinct periods ormovements. The Assessment 5 Context document provides a brief overview of some of the major periods of art history and as well as the artists who were the key contributors to each period or movement.You may wish to review this document for important concepts and ideas.

Questions to Consider

To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community.

• What feelings, thoughts, and motives do your perceptions elicitin each instance of the aesthetic principles embodied by your favorite works of visual art?
  • Renaissance values altered the course of European culture dramatically. Among their many influences was a transformation of the visual arts, painting, and sculpture.Which aspects of Renaissance portraiture continue to affect the way we think about “realistic” representation?
  • Which elements of the painterly traditions transferred easily into the composition of photographs, and which did not? Although the invention of photography during the nineteenth century—and its further development in the twentieth, with the additional capacity for color and motion—made it possible to capture accurate two-dimensional images directly, without the talents of artists and painters, the visual arts continued to thrive.
    • How might the availability of photography have contributed to changes in the style employed by painters during this period?
  • What is the point of modernism, and why should we tolerate it as part of our society, ask some of your friends? In general, they hate modern art, architecture, literature, music, thought, and politics, and they resent the use of tax money to support the production or display of “foolish attacks” on traditional forms of expression.
    • How would you answer? You may agree or disagree with your friends’ distaste for all things modern and revolutionary, but your answer should be based on evidence you have discovered during your study of the humanities.
    • Is there are spectable way to make sense of modernist movements, or are they simply rebellion for its own sake?

Resources

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Capella Resources

Click the links provided to view the following resources:

The following interactive provides several examples of the development and expression of the visual arts. You can use this as background for your own observation of the use of this tradition as it is expressed in contemporary commercial design.

Capella Multimedia

Click the link provided below to view the following multimedia piece:

Library Resources

The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course:

• Carl, K. H., & Charles, V. (2009). Baroque art. New York, NY: Parkstone International.
  • Cottington, D. (2005). Modern art: A very short introduction. Oxford, England:Oxford University Press.

Course Library Guide

A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the HUM-FP1000 – Introduction to Humanities Library Guide to help direct your research.

Bookstore Resources

The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the Capella University Bookstore. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP (FlexPath) course designation.

• Fiero, G. K. (2016). Landmarks in humanities (4th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
  • Chapters 12–14.
• Assessment Instructions

For this assessment, complete the following:

• Write an essay explaining the aesthetic principles expressed invisual arts and describe how they changed from the Baroque period through the early twentieth century.
  • Which basic features were preserved through the centuries, and which changed dramatically?
  • How do you think artists choose which styles to employ in their own work?
  • Consider how these styles are exemplified in commercial design during our own time. Collect eight or ten visual images from Web sites and advertisements and explain how they incorporate traditional elements of visual design.
    • Are our decisions to purchase items of clothing, jewelry, automobiles, appliances, and services influenced significantly by the visual forms in which they are presented?

Although your paper should offer a general thesis about the use of visual arts, much of the support you offer in its defense will involve details chosen from the specific examples you select. As you write, look for ways to tie everything together with your own view of the role that the visual arts continue to play in our every day lives.

Additional Requirements

• Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
  • APA formatting: Your paper should be formatted according to APA (6th edition) style and formatting.
  • Length: 4–6 typed and double-spaced pages.
  • Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Visual Arts Scoring Guide

CRITERIA	NON-PERFORMANCE	BASIC	PROFICIENT	DISTINGUISHED
Describe how the visual arts developed in the 17th through 20th centuries.	Does not describe how the visual arts developed in the 17th through 20th centuries.	Does not describe how the visual arts developed in the 17th through 20th centuries.	Describes how the visual arts developed in the 17th through 20th centuries.	Explains how the visual arts developed in the 17th through 20th centuries; explanation cites key movements, artists, influences, dates, and changes.
Explain the aesthetic principles expressed in the visual arts.	Does not explain the aesthetic principles expressed in the visual arts.	Lists aesthetic principles expressed in the visual arts.	Explains the aesthetic principles expressed in the visual arts.	Analyzes the aesthetic principles expressed in the visual arts; analysis persuasively links traditional design elements to contemporary images.
Illustrate the use of visual arts in commercial design.	Does not illustrate the use of visual arts in commercial design.	Describes the use of visual arts in commercial design.	Illustrates the use of visual arts in commercial design.	Assesses the use of visual arts in commercial design.
Assess how visual images in advertising influence our buying habits.	Does not assess how visual images in advertising influence our buying habits.	Explains how visual images in advertising influence our buying habits.	Assesses how visual images in advertising influence our buying habits.	Analyzes how visual images in advertising influence our buying habits; analysis persuasively links design elements to marketing messages.
Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.	Does not write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.	Writes in support of a central idea with inconsistent attention to format, grammar, usage, and mechanics.	Writes coherently to support a central idea in appropriate format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.	Writes coherently, using evidence to support a central idea in a consistent format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.