Students observe Andrew Wyeth's Christina's World


Who is the lady?

What is she doing?

Where in the world does the action take place?

What observations help you draw these conclusions?

Where is the painter?

Why is he painting from this point of view?

Does the girl know the “painter” is there?

Discuss the use of perspective to create an ‘emotional field’ around this piece.

Discuss the use of horizon line and a brief understanding of perspective.

Where is the viewer in relationship to the piece?


Students observe N.C. Wyeth's Last of the Mohicans

Where in the world does the action take place?

What observations help you draw these conclusions?

Where is the painter?

Why is he painting from this point of view?

Discuss the use of perspective to create an ‘emotional field’ around this piece.

Where is the viewer in relationship to the piece?

Is the Native American supposed to be real or is he a symbol of a feeling or thought?

What kind of feeling or thought?


Venn Diagram of the paintings

Students can use the Venn diagram to show what commonalities are shared by the two paintings. Have students draw two overlapping ovals. Label one- Last of the Mohicans, the other-Christina's World. Write observations regarding each painting in the corresponding oval, adding common elements and approaches in the overlapping area.

Answer after reading Picturing America Information on Mohicans painting

1. Where is the story set?

2. How does N. C. Wyeth show perspective and space in this painting?

3. Describe the character’s clothing. How does this clothing tell who he is? How does Wyeth emphasize the form of this warrior?

4. How does Wyeth unify the landscape?

5. What does Wyeth suggest about the health and character of this American Indian?

6. What might the cloud surrounding this character represent?

7. This painting is an illustration for a fictional novel, The Last of the Mohicans. Why do you think this is-or is not- an accurate depiction of an American Indian?

8. Do you believe this novel should or should not have been illustrated with historically accurate likenesses of American Indians?

For each mural observed, students fill out a worksheet containing the following information

Mural Title _________________________________________________

Artist name _________________________________________________

Production Date __________________________

Background notes:

1. Think about what draws your attention or attracts you to the artwork (e.g. the subjects, colors, shapes, etc.) Explain.

2. Move closer to the artwork. What do you see now that you didn’t see before?

3. Has looking up close changed your first impression of what the artwork is about?

4. Make a quick sketch below of the artwork or of a detail in it that you find most interesting.

5. Did the process of making the sketch help you notice anything else or did it generate new ideas?

_________________ YES_______________ NO Please explain.

6. What do you know about the subject being represented? What do you know about the history of the period that is represented?

Monday, November 9, 2009

Some Guidelines

After comparing and contrasting the Wyeth paintings and observing the school's murals, students can follow up by researching Native American art and creating an original piece of art inspired by the lessons.

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