ENG 171
Spring: 2010
Instructor: Panayiota Hadjiconstantinou
Comparing and Contrasting 2 Pieces of Art
Compare - When we compare two things we tell how they are alike
(Similarities)
Contrast - When we contrast two things we tell how they are different
(Differences)
The point of comparing and contrasting 2 pieces of art is to understand the
meaning in the works of art. Comparing and contrasting is not jus thinking
about and recording the similarities and differences of two works of art; it’s a
way to think about two works of art.
There are two special approaches looking at art:
1.Art Criticism:
 First you describe the work of art
What People and things are in the work?
What are the details? (Talking about the Elements)
 Second you analyze the work
How are various parts organized? (Talking about the Principles)
2. Art History:
You look at the history behind the work of art. To do this you have to
answer the following questions:
 When, where and by whom was it made?
 What is the style?
 How was the artist influenced by the world around him?
 How important is the work?
Paragraph Structure
1. Topic Sentence – Give the artist, title, date and medium of the two
pieces of art you are going to compare and contrast. Your topic
sentence should include a clear controlling idea.
2. Body –write all the similarities and then all the differences that you
have been able to identify. You can present similarities first or the
differences first. Whichever is more important (in the case of your
point) should come second. Save the most important points for the
end.
The points of comparison and contrast paragraph should be organized in one
of the two patterns below:
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1. Present all the information about A and then provide parallel
information about B:
First all A: point 1
point 2
point 3
Then all B: point 1
point 2
point 3
2. Move back and forth between A and B. Present one point about A and
then go to the parallel point about B. Then move to the next point
and do the same:
First A, point 1; then B, point 1
First A, point 2; then B, point 2
First A, point 3; then B, point 3
The second pattern makes it easier for the reader to keep the contrasts or
comparisons in mind.
Concluding Sentence- sum up what you have said, supporting your initial
statement
Transitional Expressions
You should also use transitional expressions that either stress differences
or similarities.
Transitional Expressions that stress opposition and difference:
although
whereas
but
however
in contrast
on the other hand
yet
unlike
while
Transitional Expressions that stress similarities:
in the same way
in addition
Example:
as well as
also
and
both
just as…so
the same
neither
similarly
like
too
Two religious paintings, the Tathagata Buddha from Tibet and
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Example:
Two religious paintings, the Tathagata Buddha from Tibet and Cimabue’s
Madonna Enthroned from Italy, were created four thousand miles apart and
for different religions, so they are quite different in content; nevertheless,
they are surprisingly similar in form. The Tathagata Buddha is, of course, a
Buddhist painting, and Madonna Enthroned is Christian. The Buddha, the
central figure in the Tathagata Buddha, isn’t holding anything; in contrast,
the Virgin Mary, the central figure in Madonna Enthroned, is holding the baby
Jesus. The Buddha is wearing very little clothing except for elaborate
jewelry, while the Virgin Mary is wearing long robes. Furthermore, by
analyzing the two pieces of art it can be seen that there is more space
around Buddha, whereas there is less empty space around Madonna
Enthroned. Another striking difference, although both paintings are black
and white, is that the use of value is different. The Tathagata Buddha has
less value than Madonna Enthroned, which is darker. However, these
paintings have more similarities than differences. Both were created in the
13th century and have a large central figure facing front, on which emphasis
is given because of its large size. The central figure in each painting has a
calm, serene expression creating harmony, which can also be seen through
the use of similar elements throughout both works. Both central figures have
a symbolic hand gesture. The Buddha’s hand position symbolizes the giving
of gifts, while Mary gestures toward her son, symbolic of the hope of the
world. Another similarity is that, both the Buddha and the Virgin Mary are
surrounded by smaller figures wearing halos. In the Tathagata Buddha,
these smaller figures, bodhisattvas, help people to reach Nirvana. Similarly,
the angels surrounding the Virgin Mary help people to reach heaven. Finally,
both works have unity and are balanced – this can be seen through the
repetition of same shapes and lines. Clearly, two artists unknown to each
other created quite similar paintings for their different religions. (Adapted from:
Quest 2, Reading and Writing, Pamela Hartmann)
Activity 1:
 Find the Topic Sentence
 Find the Concluding Sentence
 Highlight the transitional expressions used
 How many similarities can you find?
 How many differences can you find?
 Which come first (the similarities or the differences)? Why?
Activity 2:
Get in groups of 3, click on the following links to see the two pieces of art
and use the Compare and Contrast Worksheet to compare and contrast
them.
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Swans Reflecting Elephants
Salvador Dali, 1937, Oil on canvas, Dimensions:20.08 in × 30.31 in
Information about the Painting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swans_Reflecting_Elephants
The Persistence of Memory, Salvador Dali, 1931,
Oil on Canvas, Dimensions24 cm × 33 cm (9.5 in × 13 in)
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Information about the Painting:
http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?object_id=79018
Information about Salvador Dali:
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001159/famart.htm
As a group write a first draft paragraph that compares and contrasts the two
works of art. Try to look for some new meaning or see something important
that you would not have understood without comparing.
By Wednesday 24th February 2010, e-mail your paragraph to another group
of classmates for feedback. Remember that feedback should be constructive
and you should give suggestions rather than criticisms.
Once your first drafts and written feedback are returned, you should
complete a final draft of comparison and contrast of two pieces of art
paragraph, and e-mail it to me by 26th February, 2010.
After you receive my e-mail and make any necessary changes, upload it on
your wiki (writing the group members’ names), by 29th February, 2010.
Note: You can use the Describing a Piece of Art Worksheet (explaining the
elements of art) given to you in Week 2, and the Principles of Art Handout
given to you in Week 3.
Checklist:
Consider the following when writing your paragraph:

The layout of the paragraph is correct (indentation, margins).

There is a topic sentence that includes the main topic and a controlling
idea.

The titles of the items are in italics.

There are at least three similarities between the items.

There are at least three differences between the items.

There is a clear alternative pattern.

The most important points are last.

There is correct use of transition words.

There is a concluding sentence.
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