Principles, Instructions
and Grading
Visual Arts Content Standards
1.0 Artistic Perception
2.0 Creative Expression
3.0 Cultural Historical Reference
4.0 Aesthetic Valuing
La Entrada High School - PYLUSD
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
The style of art for this work
originates in Persia (what is
today Iran) in the Middle East
during the 15th and 16th
Centuries.
It is most often in books as
small miniature paintings and
is similar to the Illuminated
manuscripts of the time in
Europe.
These paintings were highly
valued and only owned by the
wealthiest in Persian society.
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
Islam is a major world religion
founded in 610 A.D. by its
prophet, Muhammad.
Followers of Islam are called
Muslims.
Islam follows Allah, the one
and only God. To follow
Allah’s will, Muslims consult
the words of Muhammad as
published in the Q’uran, the
holy book of Islam.
Learn more about Islam
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
Islamic art in some ways is a
contradiction.
According to The Qu’ran
creating images of people is a
form of Idolatry (worshipping
of idols) & is prohibited.
Therefore, no images should
be found in Islamic Art.
However, as the images were
small and in books, they were
not considered “public” at the
time and so could be allowed.
Depicting the prophet Muhammad
was considered to be a great sin, so
when he is shown, his face is often
covered as it is here.
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
Much of Islamic artwork deals
with subject of a religious
nature.
Here Muhammad rises to
heaven aboard the back of the
winged steed Al-Buraq.
Again in this work, the face of
Muhammad is veiled by the
artist to avoid the prohibition
on depicting the image of the
prophet.
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
Not all of the artwork
depicted religious scenes
however.
The miniature paintings in
the books also illustrated
images from stories as
pictures in books do today.
Other examples include
historical events, folk-tales,
and legends.
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
In the 13th century, the
Mongols, under Gengis
Khan (top right) conquered
much of Asia from their
homeland in Mongolia.
The Mongol Empire would
conquer much of the
Middle East including
Persia, Iraq & parts of
Arabia (see map).
Learn more about the
Mongol Invasions
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
The art in these Islamic
regions focused mainly on
complex patterns.
The patterns were famed
for their rich colors and
complexity.
Patterns were used in
fabrics and architecture.
They were both carved
(right top) & in mosaics, art
made from small bits of cut
and set glass or ceramic
(right bottom).
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
The
T Mongols brought with
them their culture, art &
artistic styles.
The Mongols painting style
had a strong influence on
Islamic art.
The Mongols used intricate
images of people, bright
colors, layers of shapes.
They also had tried to
create a sense of depth the illusion of a painting
going “back” into the page.
Standard 3.0
Cultural &
Historical
Content
Over time, the two styles
formed into a unique form.
Islamic love of patterns,
blended with the Mongol
passion for detail, shapes,
and depth.
The Islamic Miniature
Painting style –which mixes
intricate patterns & textures
with bright colors, complex
shapes, multiple figures and
a sense of depth
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
Space The feeling of Space is
important in Islamic Art.
Also called depth, it gives a
sense that the figures and
objects in the work move away
from the viewer.
It is accomplished by creating
three areas or “grounds” – the
foreground, mid-ground,
and background.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
Foreground The foreground (in the yellow
box) represents the area or
ground closest to the viewer.
In Islamic Art the lower
something is on the page
the closer it is to the viewer.
Therefore, the foreground is
located in the bottom 1/3.
This area contains a man & a
horse which are hiding behind
some rocks.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
Midground The midground (the orange
box) is the area between the
foreground and the distances
furthest away.
The mid-ground is located
roughly in the middle 1/3 of
the page.
In Islamic Art the higher
something is the further away
it is from us, so it is higher
than the foreground.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
Background Located the furthest away is
the background (the red box).
It is behind the foreground &
the midground.
The background is located at
the top 1/3 of the page.
Since, the higher something is
in these works, the further it is
away, the background is at the
top, above the midground &
the foreground.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
The End Result Using foreground, midground
and background gives the
viewer a sense of depth that is
fairly realistic.
The foreground seems closest
to us, the mid ground further
away and the background even
further still.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
Line Lines in Islamic Artworks
help direct the eye.
Vertical lines imply
height.
Horizontal Lines imply
width.
Diagonal lines give us a
sense of depth.
This use of line helps
create a 3D Space.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
Color The colors in these works
are pure hues (or basic
colors) and are very bright.
Although there is some use
of black & white, it is the
gold, blues, reds, & greens
that stand out.
There are few neutral
colors (browns &, grays).
This gives the picture a
visually exciting quality.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
Shape A Shape is a 2-dimensional
area defined by lines.
Geometric shapes create a
the city background by
using straight vertical,
horizontal & diagonal lines
and angles.
Organic shapes are
created using curves to
make rounded shapes for
people & animals so they
look more natural.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
Pattern A pattern is a series of lines or
shapes that repeats to fill an
area or space.
Patterns are used in each area
of Islamic Art.
For a pattern to work it must
have repetition.
Repetition in art means that
something does the same
thing within the space without
changing its pattern.
Standard 2.0
Artistic
Expression
Standard 2.0
Artistic
Expression
You will create an
artwork in the style of
Islamic painting.
It should show a recent
memorable event in your
life.
Standard 2.0
Artistic
Expression
It will have at least 3
rectangular boxes (one
for the foreground, one
for the midground, &
one for the background).
Each “ground” box will
contain a piece of fabric
or patterned paper.
Each box will contain
figures that are neat and
colorful and make sense
with the “ground”.
Standard 2.0
Artistic
Expression
Make sure that the
figures and objects make
sense with the “ground”
they are in.
Also make sure that all
fabric and papers are
neatly glued down and
colored neatly as well.
Consider using a fine
point sharpie after you
color them to add
details.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
This work “Ballgame” is
also very clear with its fore,
mid and back-grounds.
The batter is clearly in
front, the defense in the
middle, and the stands in
the back.
While the cotton candy kid
& the hotdog cart are too
big, they work as
background – perhaps
because of their
significance to the fans.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
This piece “Zoo Trip” has
many boxes, and overlaps,
but still works for the
most part. It maintains its
“grounds’ by changing the
sizes of its objects.
Bigger animals & trees are
located in the bottom 1/3.
Medium sized objects are
in the middle 1/3.
Tiny in the top 1/3.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
This work “Day in the
Park” also has many
boxes. Its grounds are
still quite clear. Again,
closer objects are bigger
and lower than things in
the mid & background.
The “tree box” breaks
the rules, but suggests
that trees go from the
foreground to the mid
ground A few more
trees may have helped.
Standard 1.0
Artistic
Perception
This work “O.C. Fair” is
also has three pretty clear
“grounds.” However,
there is some depth
confusion.
The “Deep-Fried Delight”
food stand might have
been better placed where
the barn & the pig are
(and visa-versa).
This would have helped
with the sense of size of
objects.
Standard 4.0
Aesthetic
Valuing
Standard 4.0
Aesthetic
Valuing
Criteria 1 – Box
Creation:
Are there at least 3
rectangular boxes
of near equal size
for foreground,
midground &
background).
4/box = 12 pts
Standard 4.0
Aesthetic
Valuing
Criteria 2 –
Depth Creation:
Do the “grounds”
have appropriate
placed and sized
objects in them?
4/box = 12 pts
Fireworks in sky
(background)
People in park
(midground)
Parking lot
(foreground)
Standard 4.0
Aesthetic
Valuing
Criteria 3 –
Patterns/Contrast:
Blue Sequined Fabric
Does each box
contain a pattern?
Does the pattern
contrast with its
adjacent boxes?
Flowered Fabric
4/box = 12 pts
Black Plain fabric
Standard 4.0
Aesthetic
Valuing
Criteria 4 –
Figures & Colors:
Does each box contain
simply shaped organic
and/or geometric
figures and objects?
Are they brightly
colored? Do they fit in
the box?
“Fireworks”
People & Blankets
4/box = 12 pts
People & Cars
Standard 4.0
Aesthetic
Valuing
Criteria 5 –
Craftsmanship &
Neatness
Is the image neatly
glued down? Are
the figures neatly
colored & cut out?
12 points