AP Art History Summer Reading 2012
lauraroberts@ums-wright.org
Hello All and welcome to the art history world ~
It is going to be a fast-paced journey we travel between August and May, but I promise many
“Wow! I didn’t know that!” moments along the way. We’ll start it all with an intriguing video
accessed via internet and several fun readings in Scandals, Vandals, and DaVincis: A Gallery of
Remarkable Tales by Harvey Rachlin.
Before we get to the summer assignment:
I want to make a suggestion about the text for the class in the fall. We are using either the
backpack edition of Gardner’s Art Through the Ages or the portable edition of Stokstad’s Art
History. Backpack/portable editions are easier to carry in your backpacks and utilize in the
classroom than the huge heavy full-sized editions. Sometimes you can order these books at more
economical prices through Amazon, so I’m posting the ISBN numbers here for you.
The UMS-Wright official textbook list only includes the Gardner, but you may order the
Stokstad if you wish. It’s nice to have a mix in the class. If you have already ordered your
Gardner text, that’s great! Do not stress or worry about whether or not you got the right one. The
interesting aspect of the mix will be that the AP office approves both texts, and there is an
interesting discussion among teachers as to which better serves the students.
Both texts can be purchased as a set or individually.
Gardner:
Art Through the Ages 13th ed. [Backpack set] ISBN-10: 0495794422 | ISBN-13: 978-0495794424
Antiquity [Book A] ISBN-10: 0495794481 | ISBN-13: 978-0495794486
Middle Ages [Book B] ISBN-10: 049579452X | ISBN-13: 978-0495794523
Renaissance/Baroque [Book C] ISBN-10: 0495794562 | ISBN-13: 978-0495794561
Modern World [Book D] ISBN-10: 0495794627 | ISBN-13: 978-0495794622
Stokstad: If you purchase individually, you do not have to purchase Books 3 and 5. However,
if you find a set that is more economical, go ahead and purchase it. We will use them during the
year.
Art History 4th ed. [Portable edition set] ISBN-10: 020500461X | ISBN-13: 978-0205004614
The following 3rd edition copies are no longer available from the publisher which makes them
more economical especially early in the summer. You can find them at Amazon or B & N.
Art History 3rd ed. [Portable edition set] ISBN-10: 0136060684 | ISBN-13: 978-0136060680
Art History: Ancient Art [Book 1] ISBN-10: 0136040977 | ISBN-13: 978-0136040972
Art History: Medieval Art [Book 2] ISBN-10: 0136054056
Art History: 14th -17th Century Art [Book 4] ISBN-10: 0136054072 | ISBN-13: 978-0136054078
Art History: 18th -21st Century Art [Book 6] ISBN-10: 0136054099 | ISBN-13: 978-0136054092
Most importantly, if you have any questions about texts or assignments, or if you have any
thoughts or comments to share about your summer art experiences, send me an email at
lauraroberts@ums-wright.org [full name!] or call me at 251-470-9024 in the mornings.
Now on to the exciting part:
Take a minute to draw a horse in the space below. No, really, give it a try! No one will see it if
you don’t show it. You do not have to submit it for a grade. Just see how it would look if you
picked up a pencil and drew a horse.
Painting and decorating walls has been part of human nature for over 30,000 years.
In 1879, a father and his young daughter explored a cave in Spain. When the daughter looked
up, she saw walls and ceilings covered with horses. Archeologists estimated the drawings are
30,000 years old!
In 1940, a group of French teenagers followed their dog into a hole in the side of a hill where
they discovered another cave with paintings that were 17,000 years old.
Today we hang paintings and portraits in homes, put up posters and photos in dorm rooms, create
bulletin boards in classrooms. It is our nature to embrace art on a daily basis.
Why draw the horse? Sometimes it helps to walk in other people’s shoes ……..
Visit the Cave of Lascaux to see a fascinating view of the cave art wonders here:
http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/index.php#/en/00.xml
Then, in paragraph form, briefly describe your response as you watched. Include references to two
specific parts. [This part you will submit.]
AP Art History 2012 Summer Reading Assignment
I. First, read the Introduction to Harvey Rachlin’s Scandals, Vandals, and da Vincis: A Gallery
of Remarkable Art Tales. In it Rachlin explains the role of narrative in paintings.
Next, read “Mona Lisa.” Once you’ve read the story, fill in the chart below:
1) Draw an outline of the painting in pencil in the block on the left hand box.
Okay … breathe! You are simply drawing a quick outline that doesn’t have to be any
more detailed than a stick figure or shapes. If you imagine a poorly made black and
white photocopy of the painting, what shapes would you see? Think about it for a
minute: the frame forms a rectangle; her body forms an isosceles triangle; an oval fills
the top of the triangle representing her head; her shoulders and chest form an irregular
hexagon [very irregular ;-)]; her arms each mimic the shape of spirit tubes folded across
each other. In the back are squiggly lines for the mountain range, the river, and the
bridge. Pretty simple, eh?
2) Fill in the information for the right side box. You can Google the artwork or look in your
text if you already have it.
Title
Artist
Size
Characteristics:
Date
Media
Finally, answer this question in paragraph form: Should Vincenzo Perugia be hailed as a
political hero, or should he be remembered as a criminal? Explain your stance.
II. Follow the same directions for the story of Watson and the Shark.
Admittedly, this one might seem harder to draw at first glance. However, if you stop to look at the shapes
again, you’ll see another triangle, and you’ll be able to fill the rectangular frame of the image with shapes
just as you did with the Mona Lisa. [I believe in you!]
Title
Artist
Size
Characteristics:
Date
Media
Answer this question in paragraph form: Is your sympathy with the shark or no? Why or why not?
III. Choose a third story to read and write about.
Fill in the chart below:
Title
Artist
Size
Characteristics:
Date
Media
Answer in paragraph form: What surprised you when you read the story? How does the story affect the
way you see the art? Are you interested in exploring other art by this artist? Why or why not?