As an extension to the previous lesson, a series of portraits from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's Bayou Bend Collection can be used to compare the portraits refelcting the culture of viceregal Mexico with the culture of the same time period in North America.
1. What criteria did we develop?
The same criteria used to analyze the Franz Mayer portraits can be used to analyze these portraits and compare the answers to those from the previous lesson.
2. How does this criteria apply to other portraits of women from the same time period but different geographic area?
The teacher shows the three portraits below either from prints or from the links below, and asks the students to work in small groups or individually to answer the questions in the criteria.
3. How can you describe the culture and history surrounding these portraits?
Students can share the comparisons about these portraits in a variety of ways.
Presentations: Students can present their summary to the entire class or to each other in small groups.
Writing: Students can provide their answers in a short writing assignment. Depending on the age of the students and their writing abilities, the assignment might be as simple as one that summarizes what the portrait reveals or as complex as writing a short story or poem about the subject of the portrait.
Communications: Students can write a headline and a caption for the portrait as if it is in a newspaper. These headlines can be placed under the picture if displayed on a bulletin board.
Drama: Students can take the role of the subject of the portrait and perform a short skit as that character.
Three portraits painted by John Singleton Copley in the Bayou Bend Collection are from the same time period as the two portraits from Lesson 3 (1757 to 1782).
Portrait of Mrs. Paul Richard
1771
John Singleton Copley (1738-1815)
New York
Online: http://www.bayoubend.uh.edu/collect/search/searchab.cfm?CatalogID=66Portrait of Mrs. Gawen Brown
1763
John Singleton Copley (1738-1815)
Boston
Online: http://www.bayoubend.uh.edu/collect/search/searchab.cfm?CatalogID=100Portrait of Mrs. Joseph Henshaw
ca. 1770
John Singleton Copley (1738-1815)
Boston
Online: http://www.bayoubend.uh.edu/collect/search/searchab.cfm?CatalogID=101
