Gray and Gold Painting Critique by John Cox

Our first writing assignment requires that you observe John Rogers Cox’s painting Gray and Gold. It resides in Gallery 226 (on the second floor) in the Cleveland Museum of Art at 11150 East Blvd.
Contemplate the painting and, in a notebook, briefly describe the painting – the subject and the artistry – in your own words. Most importantly, jot down your immediate response/first reaction to the painting. These descriptions will serve as the basis for your essay. It does not matter at all whether you like this painting or any of the other subjects we will explore. What matters is how well you explain why you do or don’t like it.
For Part III of this essay, you took your brief, enticing, well-crafted first ¶ lede, which offers your key reaction to this painting, and whatever research you performed and turned it into a 750-1000 word critical essay in your own voice. There were no guidelines or restrictions in terms of form and format.
There are now. Make sure to read the assigned “Writing a Critique” before starting this revision of your 1st draft.
Review your lede to make sure it does everything a lede is required to do (see pages 7-9 in the assigned reading);
It is likely that your 1st draft lede, which offered a key reaction, did not mention that this is a reaction to a painting or a particular painting hanging in a particular museum. Now is the time to set your focus by either revising your lead or writing a 2nd ¶ nut graph
(see page 9);
Write the 3rd ¶ descriptive overview (see pages 9-10). Briefly describe the paintingin terms of the story being told in it and the storytelling methods (the art style, the materials used, the colors, the technique employed). This ¶ should be merely descriptive. Assume your readers have never seen this painting and they are seeing it through your eyes. Do not attempt to explain or analyze anything;
Write three or four brief ¶s that explain/analyze your reaction to this painting (see pages 11-12). This essay started with a ¶ that offers your key reaction to this painting. In several ¶s, explain how it is that this story and this form of storytelling generated that reaction. This is your opportunity to identify, describe and analyze aspects of the painting, the creative choices that were made by the painter, and elements of the subject matter that generated that initial reaction. This is where your research comes in.
These ¶s should:
● Identify a specific aspect/element of the story or storytelling that generated your reaction and explain how it did so. Make sure each ¶ addresses the “so” (as in, “so what is particularly intriguing about this aspect/element), the “how” (as in, “how did this aspect/element generate this reaction) and the “so what” (as in, “so what does this tell us about this painting).
● give examples that are descriptive and which support your explanation;
● incorporate your research as a means of explanation and analysis but do not cite sources. You are the expert – an informed expert. Weave the research into your own opinions. Do not quote, but do not steal other people’s ideas and observations word for word; and
● be creative and a good, enjoyable read. This is creative writing and should not come off as if you are writing just to satisfy criteria in a writing assignment. Use your own voice.
Write a final “kicker” ¶ (see page 12). Based on all the ¶s written so far, draw a conclusion from your descriptions and explanations that guide your reader. Ideally, this ¶ should make reference to the opening ¶, so that you come full circle from making a key observation/reaction to describing what generated it to analyzing how that was achieved through the painting. This ¶ lays out the bottom line about whether this painting is worth seeing.
Finally, write a brief title (see pages 13-14) that captures the gist of your essay.
Reality Check: Before you submit this revised 1st draft essay, read pages 13-15 regarding “A Good Read” and thoroughly proofread your essay (see page 16) to make sure it meets all of the requirements of this assignment and is a good read. Also, it should answer the following questions:
● What is the artist trying to say?
● Did the artist succeed?
● Was it worth the effort?
This essay must be 750-1000 words (typed, double spaced, 12pt font), with a word count at the bottom of the last page. Anything more or less will not be accepted.