Picturing America in Our Own Words

Where Lee County students learn and share their ideas about the Picturing America works of art…

Picturing America in Our Own Words

Allies Day – May 1917

May 5th, 2010 · 2 Comments · Uncategorized

Allies Day by artist Childe Hassam is one of America’s most famous paintings. You can read more about the actual painting here.

Allies Day was painted in May 1917 one month after the United States entered World War I.

allies day

Look closely at this impressionistic painting and consider these questions:

  1. How do you think the mothers of the men going into the armed forces felt on Allies Day?- Emilie
  2. Why do you think all the flags in the picture are red, white, and blue? Rachel
  3. Why do you think there are so many different flags?- Katie
  4. How do you think the people are feeling?- Marilyn
  5. Why are they having a big celebration for a war about to start?- Jason
  6. When you look at this picture does it seem like there is a celebration going on? If so, how would you think that this picture would go along with Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, or Teacher Appreciation Day, knowing that they are all in the month of May, which is the month this picture was picked for?-Tyler

Let us know what you think…

Tags:··

Robert Shaw Memorial, 1884 – 1897

May 5th, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized

pa_neh_10A

Memorial Day is observed in the U. S. on May 31st this year. This month’s work of art is the Robert Shaw Memorial, a statue in Boston, Massachusetts that serves as a memorial to the group of men who were among the first African Americans to fight in the Civil War.

Take a close look at the statue and consider these questions asked by Mrs. Esponda’s critical thinking class:

Mahoghany:  “What is the significance of the woman floating above the soldiers?”

 Lea:  “Why do you think the artist chose to take a photograph of the monument instead of painting it himself?’

 Angelica:  Look at the top right of the sculpture. If the letters that are carved into the sculpture were translated, what do you think it would mean?”

  Seo: “How do you think this sculpture symbolizes Memorial Day, since the month of May is when this holiday takes place?”

 Stephen:  “Why is the man in the middle the only one riding on a horse?”

 Evan:  “Do you think that this sculpture is the original, or is there another memorial like this one?”

 What else do you know about the US Civil War? What was lost and gained in this War?

We’d love to hear your responses. Please comment below.

Tags:

Changing Landscapes

March 31st, 2010 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

This month’s pictures were selected to represent some changes to the American landscape and ask that you reflect on and consider the state of our planet during this April – Earth Month.

The first picture is “Autum Landscape – River of Life” by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Read more about him here. The second is “American Landscape, 1930″ by Charles Sheeler.

Autumn Landscape - The River of Life by Tiffany

Autumn Landscape - The River of Life by Tiffany

American Landscape

American Landscape by Charles Sheeler

 Mrs. Esponda’s students want to know what you think about these two works of art. Specifically,

1.  How did our planet turn from a picture like “The River of Life”, to a painting such as “American Landscape”? (Angelica)2.  How has our advancement in technology and industry impacted nature? (Emilie)3.  Since the painting is called “American Landscape”, do you agree with how the artist portrays America?  Why or why not? (Seo)

4. What would you do to prevent “The American Landscape” from happening to other places like “The River of Life”? (Mahoghany)

5. Do you think Charles Sheeler back in 1930 knew that there would be future pollution?  How has pollution affected your community? (Jason)

Let us hear from you this month… what are your thoughts about these paintings? What do you think about the way we have treated ourt land in the United States? What can we do better to preseve the land for future generations?

Tags:···

Portrait of a Migrant Mother

February 26th, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized

March is Women in History Month and to commemorate this, Mrs. Esponda’s students selected two pictures.

The first is the Picturing America portrait #18b, Migrant Mother, taken by Dorothea Lange in 1936. She believed this portrait captured the pride, strength, and spirit of the California migrant workers of that time and indeed publishing this picture helped their plight.

18b

The students ask that you look at the picture and respond to these questions about it:

Lea H. – What do you think this lady is contemplating?
Emilie A – What situation do you think the family is going through?
Mahoghany A – How do you think the children feel? Explain.
Angelica G – By looking at the picture, what can you infer about the place in which they are living?
Katie N – How would you feel if you were living during the Great Depression of the 1930’s? Explain.
Jason P – Was she posing for the picture?  Also where is the father of these children?
Evan M. – What do you think she is looking at?
Christian D – What are the children hiding from?
Seo D -After this picture was taken, what do you think happened to the woman and children?  Do you think they had to go through a difficult change?
Stephen B – What do you think the woman is feeling based on her facial expression?

The second picture they selected is #14 A The Boating Party painted by Mary Cassatt.

14a

The students ask:
Tyler B – If there is a sail on the boat why do you think that the man is rowing? Take a close look at their faces and their surroundings. What does the mood of this picture seem like to you?
Rachel G – Where do you think the boat is heading?  Why do you think that?Do you think the family is going towards the shore or away from it? Explain.
Mrs. Esponda – Do you think the baby is enjoying this family outing?  Explain your answer.

Please give us your thoughts about these two pictures in the comments section below.

Tags:·····

February Presidents: Washington & Lincoln

February 2nd, 2010 · No Comments · Uncategorized

pa_neh_18pa_neh_3b This month’s pictures depict two of America’s most well-known Presidents – George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

The photograph of Abe Lincoln was taken by Alexander Gardner in 1865 just a few weeks before the end of the Civil War.

The portrait of George Washington was painted by artist Gilbert Stuart in 1796. The portrait was painted for William Petty, the first marquis of Landsdowne, and an admirer of the president.

Mrs. Esponda’s students pose these questions to you this month:

Regarding the George Washington portrait:

1. Mahoghany A asks What do you think George Washington was looking at or who?
2. Katie N asks Why do you think people in the past wore their hair like George Washington?
3. Jason P asks  What do you think George Washington is doing? Do you think he was posing for the painting? Explain.
4. Tyler B. asks Where or what do you think he is gesturing at with his hands?
5. Seo D. asks Since the painting was painted after the American Revolution, do you think the sword George Washington is holding is representing his role in the war? Explain.
6. Rachel G. asks What do you suppose George Washington is thinking about?
7. Angelica G. says Look at the shadow under GW’s right hand.  There is something about the shadow and the items in front of it.  What is it?

Regarding the photograph of Abraham Lincoln:

1. Jason P says “This picture was taken during the last months of the Civil War.  What do you think he was feeling?”
2.  Tyler B. asks Why do you think the portions of his hands are blurry? He is holding a pencil and his glasses.  What would you think they symbolize?
3. Lea H. asks Why do you think Abe is smiling so normally if his country was undergoing the most gruesome war in history?  By this picture, can you tell Mr. Lincoln was a man under great stress? Explain.
4. Emilie A says In the picture, what event could have caused Lincoln to smile?
5. Stephen B. asks Why do you think that Abe is in front of a blank wall?
6. Christian D. asks How do you think he is feeling?  Note his fidgeting fingers and bow tie.
7. Rachel G. asks What do you think the black spots are in the background?
8. Evan M. asks Why do you think the President of the USA would have a crooked bow tie?

We welcome your response to these questions or to the pictures in general. What can art like this teach us about history?

Tags:·······

The Oxbow, 1836

January 4th, 2010 · 113 Comments · Uncategorized

This month’s picture is called View From Mount Holyoke (The Oxbow), 1836 by artist Thomas Cole (1801–1848).

5A oxbow

We’d like to know what you think of the painting. What is an oxbow, anyway? Compare and contrast the left and right sides of the painting…how are they alike and different? What might this painting symbolize?Please submit your response as a comment below.

 You may also choose to comment on the following interpretations from Mrs. Esponda’s critical thinking students and get a conversation going…we dare you!

The Oxbow By: Rachel G 
My interpretation of the picture, “The Oxbow” is that it looks like the start of a new year. This is because on the left side of the painting there are lots of dark, stormy clouds. They look as if they are fading away and revealing the right side of the picture. The right side of the picture looks like the first day of spring. The snow has just melted revealing the freshly bloomed flowers and nice green grass for the world to see and it is also bright and sunny. What is your interpretation of this painting? Also, Why do you think the author chose the name,” The Oxbow” for this painting?

 Angelica G- December 18, 2009 -Block 6 
In the painting The Oxbow, it relates to January because we are starting a new year. In the painting on the left it shows a disaster with smoke and trees. Then on the right it shows a beautiful river flowing beyond the green grass. It’s like saying that this year was pretty bad with the economy and pollution. But it will improve in 2010 just like the right of the painting is showing.

 Christian D -  Block 6
 The Oxbow was chosen as our January Picturing America blog submission. This painting symbolizes new beginnings, what with the retreating storm clouds and the thriving colonies below. There is a man at the bottom of the painting, probably exploring, charting, and claiming new land. This will lead to the general growth of the nearby community. The vivid colors on the fields and reflecting off of the shimmering river contrast with the dark, ominous thunderheads. This depicts light within darkness, good within evil, and most of all, hope within these drastic times. The Oxbow reminds us that perhaps there is hope on the other side of this decade. Time will only tell.

 Stephen B. – The Oxbow
An interpretation of the Oxbow for me would be that the side where the storm is is the old year and the bright, sunny side is the new year. Also the stormy side is the past year with all of the things you did wrong and the sunny side is the new year to start things fresh and do things differently. That is my interpretation of the Oxbow.

 Katie N – Block 6 
The Oxbow by Thomas Cole was made in 1836 was chosen for the month of January. We chose this picture because the storm represents the previous year. The picture shows a transition between the storm and the clear sky. We are just starting a new year. All the bad things from last year are passing by, like the storm, as we go into a new, fresh year, like the clear sky. 

Tyler B – 12/18/09
I think “The Oxbow” is like when the new year is starting, and the old one is going. It looks like a storm is leaving so everything is starting new and fresh. It’s like a really bad storm, the old year being the storm, comes through and when it passes we begin a new year. We forget about the storm (Old year) and celebrate the start of a new and fresh year. This is how I think “The Oxbow” is related to January. It is the start of a new year in my interpretations, and January is the first month in the year. These are my interpretations of “The Oxbow.”

 Jason P. – 12/18/09
“The Oxbow” is the painting we picked for Picturing America’s month of January. The reason I thought it would be a good painting for this month is because it looks like the start of a new year. The smoke side could represent 2009 and the clear side could represent 2010. The storm of a good year clearing into a GREAT year!

 Seo D. 12/18/09
In my eyes, I think that the painting means new beginnings. I got that impression because the second side of the painting looks fresh and new after a heavy storm. The month of January is the first month of a new year, and I think that the painting symbolizes a fresh new start, just like the month of January. Also, I think that since the painting is dark on one side, and light on the other, it means that all of the dark burdens of the past are washed away with a brand new start.

 Lea H.
My interpretation of ‘The Oxbow’ is related a little bit to the time of year we are currently in and the transition into 2010. In the painting, I can see the stormy and cold end of 2010 changing into the fresh new start of 2010. You could also interpret this as a life lesson as well. From that point of view, I can see someone who was having a difficult time with something in life but got a second chance to do things better.

 Emilie A. 12/18/09
The Outbox can be viewed in many ways. In my eyes, the picture seems as if half of the sky is gray with clouds covering it and the other half is cloudless with the sun shining. The half with the clouds has very green grass unlike the half with the sunny sky; it has yellow looking grass. Maybe what this picture means that sure the grass is greener on the other side, but there are stills problems there, so be happy what you have.

Evan M. 12/18/09
My interpretation of “The Oxbow” is that the artist is trying to show a storm and also sunlight. He does this by showing darker clouds and a shade of gray touching the ground which resembles rain. Another way he shows this is by showing the broken tree on the left side of the picture. He shows the sunny side by putting glare in the river, and shadows which would be caused by the sun.

Tags:

Brooklyn Bridge by Joseph Stella

December 2nd, 2009 · 10 Comments · Uncategorized

pa_neh_28

This month’s picture is the Brooklyn Bridge by Joseph Stella. You can read more about the Brooklyn Bridge itself on this PBS site. Mrs. Esponda’s Critical thinking class asks you to consider the following questions related to this month’s picture:

Evan asks:
1. Where do you think he got his ideas from to paint this? Explain.
2. This painting was painted in 1919-1920.  What was happening in the USA during this time period?

 Stephen asks:
3. Why do you think the artist chose to use darker colors than brighter ones?
4.  What do you think the artist was thinking when he created this?
5. After looking at this picture, would you want to go on the bridge?  Explain why or why not.
6.  What do the colors remind you of?

 Katie asks:
7. What do you feel when you look at this painting?
8. What shapes do you see in the painting?  Do you think the painter placed shapes together to make it look like a painting?

 Jason asks:
9. Can you see another picture in this besides the Brooklyn Bridge?
10. Why do you think this artist made the Brooklyn Bridge seem like many different pieces scattered everywhere? 

Lea asks:
11. Where do you think the painter’s inspiration for this painting came from? 
12. Why do you think he chose to paint the Brooklyn Bridge?
13. Why do you think the painter chose to paint the bridge this way instead of the way it really looks?

 Angelica asks:
14. What do you think the colors represent?

Emilie asks:
15. Why do you think the colors get lighter as they get closer to the top?
16. How does the top of the painting differ from the bottom?

Mahoghany asks:
17. What do you think the diamond at the bottom stands for?
18. What do you see in each section of the picture? 

Tyler asks:
19. I see different views of the Brooklyn Bridge like the artist moved in different directions when he painted it.  What do you see when you look at this picture?
20. Does it seem to you that it has been painted from many different views or through a cracked or stained glass window viewpoint?

 Seo asks:
21. When you look at the picture do you notice that there are differences between the top half and the bottom half?  How can you tell those differences apart?
22. Do you think he portrayed this area of New York correctly? Explain.

 Rachel asks:
23. What is the importance of the red on the diamond shaped figure in the painting?
24. What do all the lines represent?

Choose one or two of these questions and respond below with your comments. Let’s get a great conversation going here this month :-) .

Tags:···

What does a ladder and Booker T. Washington have in common?

October 28th, 2009 · 9 Comments · Uncategorized

pa_neh_40

November’s Picturing America selection (thanks again to Mrs. Esponda’s Critical Thinking class) is “Ladder for Booker T. Washington”, 1996, by artist Martin Puryear.  Read more about Martin Puryear here . The Picturing America website describes this sculpture this way:

“Suspended above the floor and anchored by almost undetectable wires, the 36-foot Ladder seems to float in space as it rises and abruptly narrows at the top. The artistic metaphor of a ladder not easily climbed dovetails with the contradictions in the legacy of slave-turned-educator Booker T. Washington. The title of Washington’s autobiography, Up from Slavery, is a direct reference to his ascent to a richer existence, both materially and psychologically.” – from the Picturing America Gallery

You can interact with the photo of the art work at this website.

Now take a moment to read through the following questions posed by Mrs. Esponda’s class and please let us know what you’ve learned about art and US history by exploring this work of art.

Evan asks: 1. Why do you think the shadows of the ladder at the bottom of the picture are connected?

Tyler asks: 2. Do you think it would be difficult or easy to climb this ladder? 3. Why are some of the ladder steps more spaced out than others?

Rachel asks: 4. The artist named this sculpture after he created it. Why do you think this is? (You can read more about Booker T. Washington here)

Angelica asks: 5. Does it look like this ladder is hooked to the wall? Explain.

Lea asks:  6. Why does the ladder abruptly cut off? 7. Why are the sides of the ladder so crooked? 8. Is the ladder getting larger as it descends or is it an optical illusion? 9. Where is the ladder leading to?

Seo asks: 10. Since the ladder is suspended 3 feet, would it be hard to initiate the climb upward the ladder?

Emilie asks: 11. Look at the shadows on the floor. Why do you think the shadows go in different directions?

Steven asks: 12. How is this ladder related to Booker T. Washington?

Jason asks: 13. What is the ladder in, a box or a building?

Katie asks:  14. The artist created this sculpture from a tree in his backyard. How long do you think it took Martin Puryear to create and finish this sculpture?

Christian asks: 15. What is the artist trying to imply with this sculpture?

We look forward to seeing your comments.

Tags:···

Looking Down Yosemite Valley-8a

September 30th, 2009 · 26 Comments · Uncategorized

pa_neh_15

This month’s Picturing America art was selected by Mrs. Esponda’s Critical Thinking class at Veterans Park Academy. The students brainstormed a list of questions about this work of art and invite you think about these questions, study the painting, and respond with a comment below.

The work is titled “Looking Down Yosemite Valley- California 1865″ by Albert Bierstadt. Read more about him and the painting here. When you look at the painting, consider these questions…

  1. What time of day is the painting showing?
  2. What time of year is it?
  3. Is anyone observing this moment in time and what are they thinking?
  4. What was the artist’s intention or inspiration?
  5. Why is it titled “Looking Down…”?
  6. Do you think Yosemite Valley looks the same today as it did when the artist painted it? Can you find a photo to show it today?
  7. Why did the artist not include people or animals in the painting?
  8. Is it dry or is there water in the valley?
  9. Does it rain here?
  10. What national event was America recovering from in 1865?
  11. Why does the scene offer hope to America?
  12. Does the painting encourage you to go out west to visit?

 

Tags:·

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Grant Woods – 1931

June 15th, 2009 · 53 Comments · Uncategorized

Click here to see a full-page view of this print or go to your school Media Center and take a closer look at this painting of Grant Wood’s The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.

Read this poem The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, by Henry Longfellow.

Visit this interactive image to learn more and test your knowledge of this painting and the poem. Be sure you click the Notes and Questions tabs to help you think more about the painting.

Then respond to one or more of these questions by submitting a comment below:

1. How does the artist show that Paul Revere was on an urgent mission?

2. What time of day is it in the painting and what clues does the painter give us about the time of day?

3. How does the artist guide you through the story of the midnight ride? (hint: follow the road)

4. How was the Midnight Ride important to the Revolutionary War?

For more info and for fun read these first person accounts of the ride…
The historical witnesses handouts (PDF files) from the National Park Service Minuteman resources:

Tags:···