As the culminating assignment for this course, you will write a 3-5 page (double-spaced) comparative essay that demonstrates your ability to critically engage with visual art using the tools and language developed throughout the semester. This final paper will invite you to choose two distinct works by two different artists, regardless of medium, and conduct a thoughtful compare-and-contrast analysis. Your analysis should go beyond surface-level description to investigate each work's formal elements, materials, themes, context, and intended impact. Consider how each piece reflects its historical and cultural moment, how the artists’ choices shape viewer interpretation, and how the two works speak to or against each other through their differences and similarities. Paper Requirements: Length: 3–5 pages (double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman) Citation Style: MLA format with Works Cited Sources: 5–10 credible academic sources (books, journal articles, museum websites, etc.) Include high-quality images of both works with proper captions Upload your submission as a PDF file Due Date: Sunday, December 14th by 11:59PM Sample Essay --> ARTS1301_Sample_FinalEssay.pdfOpen this document with ReadSpeaker docReader Download ARTS1301_Sample_FinalEssay.pdfOpen this document with ReadSpeaker docReader Suggested Essay Structure: Introduction Introduce the two selected works and artists. Present a clear thesis that articulates your angle of comparison. Are they related through material, theme, personal history, etc. Contextual Background Offer historical, cultural, and biographical context for each artist and work. How is their work influenced by the time in which it was made in? Formal Analysis Describe and analyze the visual/formal elements of each piece (composition, color, material, etc.). Comparative Discussion Explore the similarities and differences in approach, technique, message, and impact. Conclusion Summarize key insights and reflect on what the comparison reveals about the works and their broader significance. This essay is your opportunity to synthesize course concepts while developing your own critical voice. Choose works that genuinely interest or challenge you, and support your analysis with thoughtful research and well-organized writing. The tow artist would be Leonardo da Vinci and Francisco Goya