Artist’s biography (due Wednesday, Sept. 6).

In an essay of 150-200 words (about one page, 12 point, double-spaced, one-inch margins) write a biography of a well-known artist or architect.

Be sure to explain what is known about his or her early life and training, career, and influence on subsequent artists or architects, as well listing a selection of famous works by the artist or architect. You should mention at least 3 and no more than 5 works of art or buildings.
 
Here are some possible choices, although you should feel free to choose an artist or architect not listed here in consultation with your professor:
 

(NOTE: Students in Professor Tinkler’s section do not need to choose a European artist, and students in Professor Blanchard’s section do not need to choose an Asian artist. Any famous artist from anywhere at any time will do.)

A good biography does not only recite facts in order—a good biography offers both facts and interpretation. For example, it is not enough to say "Van Gogh was a great artist. Van Gogh was insane and committed suicide." You might instead write: "Van Gogh had problems with mental illness in the last 5 years of his life. Though he was institutionalized off and on in the 1880s he produced remarkable landscapes and portraits, including several of his doctor, Dr. Gachet. Van Gogh treats his doctor sympathetically in the portrait, which may show that he was working with the doctor to recover from his difficulties."

A good resource for this kind of project is the Dictionary of Art, a multi-volume work in the Reference section of the Library (call number: REF’ N31 .D5 1996). Please cite any sources used for this assignment, using footnotes or parenthetical references, and one of the reference systems described in A Pocket Style Manual