Question

help please will medal


Now that you have viewed a variety of artwork and photos from the Depression Era, write two paragraphs comparing and contrasting one or two pieces of artwork to the setting and descriptions in "Marigolds".

Answer 1

Art as a Means of Expressing a Setting
In this project, we will examine a piece of artwork from the depression era – the time period when “Marigolds” takes place – and compare it to the setting of the story.

Throughout history, art has been used as a way to convey an artist’s thoughts and ideas about a subject. As part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, the U.S. government founded various federal art programs to provide work relief for artists throughout the country. One such program, the Public Work of Art Project (PWAP) was founded to create art for government buildings around the country. Through this program, over 3,000 artists were hired in 1934, and collectively they produced over 15,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, and other pieces of art. The PWAP’s only mandate was that the art depict an “American scene.” Each artist was free to interpret that direction however s/he wanted, so we have an abundance of artworks to help us understand the popular feelings and mood of the times.

One of the most famous photographs to come out of these federal art programs is called “Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange. In 1936, Lange conducted a month-long trip through California where she photographed migratory farm laborers and their families. In this image, Lange captured the image of a fatigued, thirty-two year old mother of seven children.



Let’s examine this photograph with an eye toward describing the setting. Notice the worried expression on the mother’s face; the dirt under her nails, on the necks of her children, and on her baby’s face. Take a close look at their clothing; it is in tatters and full of holes. She is sitting in the doorway of a make-shift canvas tent, where she lives with her family. What does this tell you about their situation? These visual clues provide details that help us to realize what life was like – the setting – during this period of time in American history.

How to Analyze Artwork
When you are analyzing a painting or a photograph, there are certain elements that you should consider. First, identify the genre. Is it a landscape or a portrait? Then, determine the style. Is it abstract or realistic? Also, try to figure out the intended audience for the artwork. Learn where the artwork was first displayed. Was it a church, palace, meeting house, private home, office building, etc? What is the status of the people you might find at these locations? You can deduce the artist’s intent and the original audience based on where artwork was originally hung. For example, the portrait of a little girl that was displayed in a private home would have been personal. The intended audience would have been family and friends. Whereas the painting of a saint that hangs in a church was meant to be viewed by parishioners and the purpose was most likely to provide inspiration about their faith.

In a portrait or other scene where people are portrayed, take a look at their characterization. Ask yourself: How old are the subjects?, What are they wearing?, What does their facial expression reveal about them?, What is their posture – Are they standing tall and proud, or slumped over and dejected? By making observations about the subjects in a portrait, you can come to an educated conclusion about the setting in which they live.

A landscape can also reveal information about the mood of the time period being represented. Examine what kind of scene is being shown. Is it a field, a street scene, woodlands? What is the season?, Can you tell what the weather is like?, Are there any structures in the image – a house or a barn? What is the condition of that structure?

Whether you are examining a portrait or a landscape, consider other elements of the composition. The composition is all of the parts that form the “whole” of the picture. For example, look at the coloring. Is the image in black and white or does the artist use vibrant colors? How does the overall color of the artwork affect the mood of the image?

By asking yourself questions about a piece of art and analyzing it closely, you can discover clues about what the artist intended to convey to you, the viewer. This “close reading” of art is very similar to the strategies employed when examining a piece of literature.

View photos and artwork from the Depression Era using these links or search for your own sources:

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/depression/photoessay.htm

http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/depression/artgallery.htm

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/1934-the-art-of-the-new-deal-132242698/?no-ist

http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=3373

Answer 2

hey peter Im back!!

Answer 3

would u be able to help me with this? please

Answer 4

what do u want me to check/do

Answer 5

yes I can help you I'll try :)

Answer 6

what do I have to help you with

Answer 7

Now that you have viewed a variety of artwork and photos from the Depression Era, write two paragraphs comparing and contrasting one or two pieces of artwork to the setting and descriptions in "Marigolds".

Answer 8

so u need help with the paragraph part how do u want me to help u

Answer 9

let me get someone to help u more hold on

Answer 10

BYE dad said i have to go

Answer 11

ask @pooja195