Tutor profile: Jessica S.

What is a thesis statement and where should it be placed in an essay?

A thesis statement is your argument. To be effective a thesis statement should: make an arguable claim about a topic, it should be specific, and it should be something that is supported by evidence later in the paper. The thesis statement is most effective in the first paragraph of an essay because it will show your reader what the paper is about.

The word "Baroque" literally translates to misshapen pearl. Give at least one example of Baroque art or architecture and describe how it either exemplifies or defies this definition?

The Roman church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, designed by the architect Francesco Borromini in the 1630s, is exemplary of the Baroque definition. The undulating and dynamic design of the exterior walls breaks with the Renaissance tradition of exact proportion and stiff symmetry. The dynamic imperfections make this building more precious.

Rembrandt van Rijn is one of the most prolific self-Portrait artists in history. Describe at least one of the mediums used by the artist and its advantages.

Rembrandt van Rijn often utilized etching to explore the subject of self-portraiture. The "Self-portrait in a cap, wide eyes and open mouth" from the mid- 1600s is an excellent example of the whispy and free-wielding effect of this medium. You can feel the energy of the etching needly moving through the wax and capturing a spontaneous moment on the plate. The medium of etching is reproducible and therefore the distinct advantage of multiplicity. This self-portrait now exists in several museum collections and has increased the notoriety and recognizability of the Dutch Early Modern artist, Rembrandt van Rijn.