This
illustration exercise provides a framework for students to think about the form
and function of illustrations in books and offers strategies for students to
evaluate book illustrations.
Students are asked to investigate the relation of image to text, in
terms of content and both aesthetic, and material value. They consider how illustrations complicate
and compliment textual content, examine what illustrations suggest about the
text’s original audience, and weigh how these contexts relate to contemporary
representation. Students are then asked
to produce a 1-2 page, thesis driven essay in which they develop a thesis about
an illustration.
The exercise template link provides a template for developing illustration assignments.
The data table link provides suggestions of texts in the Rare Book Room that have been approved for use for illustration exercises, with call numbers and some notes for the pedagogical uses of these works.
The catalogue link provides a summary of the data table, and the gallery link provides all the images of the suggested texts on a single page.
If you have any questions or suggestions, or if you would like to add your assignment to our archive—please contact us. Thank you!
