Writing a Comparison in Art
Guide/Format
Dr. Henson-Dacey
1) All formal writing in art begins with a thesis statement. Ask yourself, why am I
comparing these two artworks? What is something really interesting about both of them?
2) Next you should study the works of art and decide on at least three similarities and at
least one difference (these are your terms of comparison)
* Here are some ideas for ways to compare: content (what images are
represented- could include historical, cultural, religious, political and
philosophical); symbols/messages; color theory; use of negative space; use of
visual space - perspective; viewer’s reaction, style (representational/abstract),
etc.
3) The next step in writing a comparison is to decide which style you will choose:
* Point-by-Point OR
* Blocking
See below for examples:
Point-by-Point example: Two paintings of the biblical event The Last Supper by Da
Vinci and Tintoretto provide surprising similarities and difference in the way the scene
has been painted and interpreted. Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci was painted in the
fresco style with oil and tempera paints. Last Supper by Tintoretto is painted using very
different media. This painting is done as oil on canvas. Although the paintings are 100
years apart, there are still many differences on how the artists interpreted this biblical
event.
Da Vinci’s painting uses a horizontal layout, using the large table as the main
focal point of the painting. Tintoretto’s painting uses a strong one-point perspective
placing the table at a diagonal which seemingly splits the image into two separate parts.
Blocking example: Two paintings of the biblical event The Last Supper by Da Vinci and
Tintoretto provide surprising similarities and differences in the way the scene has been
painted and interpreted. Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci was painted in the fresco style
with oil and tempera paints. The reason the painting is in such bad condition is because
da Vinci was using experimental techniques on the painting. Instead on painting in the
buon fresco style (applying pigments to wet plaster), Leonardo used a style known as a
secco (painting on dry plaster). Because he painted on the dry plaster, the colors did not
blend into the surface as well. This caused the painting to be much more fragile and led to
its poor condition.
Over 100 years later, Tintoretto painted the same scene the Last Supper using
very different media. This painting is done as oil on canvas. This media is much more
durable then da Vinci’s painting, and is thus in much better condition. The oil has held up
throughout the years and the painting has been restored to clean off the staining from
everyday dust and weathering. This is not the only difference seen in the two paintings,
one major difference is in the way the artists have composed the event.
Da Vinci uses a layout that is largely horizontal with Christ sitting in the middle
of the compositional space and thus becoming the focal point of the painting.
The reason the painting is in such bad condition is because da Vinci was using
experimental techniques on the painting. Instead on painting in the buon fresco style
(applying pigments to wet plaster), Leonardo used a style known as a secco (painting on
dry plaster). Because he painted on the dry plaster, the colors did not blend into the
surface as well. This caused the painting to be much more fragile and led to its poor
condition.
4) All formal writing in art ends with a strong conclusion - answering why you have
compared these two images - what have you learned through the comparison that will aid
in your own artistic growth.
* Cite all sources (websites + images). Include the images for reference.
How to cite textbooks:
Gardner, Helen, Fred S. Kleiner, and Christin Joy (2005). Gardner's Art through the
Ages, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.