Analysis and Rhetoric at NBS Lectures on Art

Six eighth graders captivated us with their final presentations for the annual Nightingale-Bamford Lectures on Art, held this past Friday in Hyman Hall. This year, three of the finalists analyzed art by Picasso; with Raphael, Giotto, and Botticelli also represented. All boys did a fine job, speaking well with knowledge and insight about the works they had researched in their humanities class under the guidance of teacher Nancy Iannicelli.

The presentations were based on each boy's independent research on a particular work of art, and included analysis of such components as color, impact of the artist, gesture, iconography, purpose, and geometric simplification, among others. For the finals, the boys presented before their peers at Saint David's and Nightingale-Bamford School, and a panel of judges comprised of faculty members, administrators, trustees and art experts.

Congratulations to winner Teddy W., who spoke on Picasso's Three Musicians and to his fellow finalists: Jamie A., Ben D., Nick N, Sean O., and Charlie U. All should be proud of their accomplishments.

The finalists were selected after all eighth graders participated in the preliminary lectures, held last week.

The NBS Lectures competition is the first of four summary projects that our eighth graders complete as part of their interdisciplinary humanities course. The course is a signature one at Saint David's in which boys refine the art of clear, concise, cogent writing and speaking, in a program that blends art, analysis, rhetoric, history, and writing.

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