Formal and Sociocultural Analyses of Didarganj Yakshi

The Overview
Getting good at art history takes practice. Honing your skills of looking at art and material culture requires training. Expressing what you see in a clear way is a form of exercise that can improve with each iteration. Connecting your specific descriptions to broader contexts and narratives relies on creativity and patience. Throughout the semester, we’ve been practicing.
There are many approaches to art historical analysis. For the purposes of our course, we’re going to focus on developing skills in four areas throughout the semester:
Formal Analysis is our foundation and, in many ways, the most difficult type of analysis to master. Through this type of analysis, you parse out details concerning color, shape, texture, scale, line, shadow, space, composition, and other physical properties of the object itself;
Sociohistorical Analysis, through which you situate the object in the social, political, economic, and cultural context in which it was produced and/or intended to be used;
Iconographic Analysis, through which you tease out the theme(s) or subject(s) presented by the object including any symbolic or figurative meaning(s);
Personal Analysis, although admittedly a term I made up, is crucial to our work this semester. Through this type of analysis, you reflect on the relationship between an object and your own lived experience.
The Guidelines
Each analysis should consist of the following elements:
Title: Creativity (and especially puns) appreciated here, but moreover make sure your title clearly conveys what you’ll be addressing in your analysis.
Object: Be sure to include good quality images of the object that you’ll be analyzing. Each image should be assigned a figure number, and these figure numbers should be captioned and referenced throughout your analysis. Your figures can all be stacked at the end of your analysis or interspersed throughout your text.
Thesis: Your thesis, included in the introduction to your work, should provide a framework for your analysis and suggest your interpretation of the work. A thesis statement does not necessarily involve a statement of argument or original insight, but it should let the reader know how the artist’s choices affect the viewer.
Formal Analysis: Since this is our foundation, your assessment must include a formal analysis of the object you’ve chosen. Although description is an important part of a formal analysis, description is not enough on its own. You must introduce and contextualize your descriptions of the formal elements of the work so the reader understands how each element influences the work’s overall effect on the viewer. Remember that the most effective formal analyses will support your thesis. Also note that you do not have to analyze every possible aspect of the work; pick the most important aspects of the artwork to discuss
Note: This part of your assignment must include an image, and annotating that image would be helpful.
______ Analysis: Next, evaluate the object you’ve chosen through the other lens that you’ve decided to employ (sociohistorical, iconographical, or connection). Be sure to discuss the ways in which your two types of analyses complement and/or conflict with one another. Remember that the most effective analyses of any kind will support your thesis.
Conclusion: An effective assessment will end with a conclusion that reviews your work, briefly summarizing one last time how each aspect of your analysis supports your thesis.
Works Cited: While your formal analysis won’t require any outside sources, the other approach by which you choose to analyze your object will. Be sure to cite any sources you refer to. If you have any questions about what should or should not be cited, please ask.
The Fine Print
The purpose of this analysis is not just to describe the object you’re examining, but rather to offer a thoughtful and meticulous study of the object. While there is no single way to compose your analysis, the organization is critically important, so carefully plan before you begin to write.
Remember that spelling and grammar do count. double-spaced, and in 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar). Because your analysis will require a bit of outside research, be sure to cite any sources you refer to, and whatever citation style you use, be consistent.


please title your file in the following format: “LastName_Paper2.”
(on the lower side if you decide to produce an annotated object image),

Didarganj Yakshi holds a fly-whisk