Curated OER
Northern Renaissance Art
The 15th and 16th centuries marked one of the most interesting periods in European art history. The deep symbolism, allegory, rich imagery, and iconography can be found in this extensive and well-organized slideshow. From El Greco to...
Curated OER
Byzantine Art
Explore the art, architecture, and iconography of the Byzantine Empire. This comprehensive visual guide takes learners through the changes in art and architecture that occurred with the spread of the Byzantines.
Curated OER
Gothic Art
The Middle Ages were an extensive period in European history. Discover the beautiful Gothic art and architecture that developed in France during this time period. Gorgeous and visually rich, this resource would nicely accompany any...
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Quattrocento Italian Art
The Italian Renaissance was a period of great art and architecture. Show your class the achievements that define the Quattrocento period in Italian art and style. This slide show centers around Florence, the architecture, sculpture, and...
TED-Ed
A Brief History of Religion in Art
Did you know that some languages have no word for art? The English language does and the narrator of this short video discusses the aesthetic dimension of religious art as it "visually communicates meaning beyond language."
University of North Carolina
Art History
Art analysis might help uncover some of life's most puzzling questions, such as the mystery behind Mona Lisa's smile. The handout, from the Writing for Specific Fields series, is particularly useful for those interested in pursuing art...
Curated OER
Iconography: Art and Literature
Young scholars discover the main subjects and objects of Buddhist art and how symbolism in the Arts can enhance the artistic elements. The lesson concludes with the creation of student works using iconography.
Curated OER
Byzantine Art: 5th century to 1453 AD
Art and architecture are great ways to help define historical periods and cultural norms. Take a critical look at the art of the Byzantine period as seen under Justinian rule. Iconography, vocabulary, religious, and political concepts...
Curated OER
Russian Imperial Eggs
Students gather information about the Imperial Court of Czarist Russia. They study the iconography of Faberge eggs produced for the Czar. Afterward, they design and reproduce a decorative egg in the Faberge style
Curated OER
Greek and Roman Symbolism
Students explore Greek and Roman symbolism in art. In this visual art lesson, students draw portraits of ancient leaders based on the written descriptions they read about them. Students also design campaign posters using Greek or Roman...
Curated OER
Aesthetic Assessment Design
Students examine aesthetic concepts and reflect on them in their journals. They construct individual taste collages from an assortment of two and three-dimensionakl objects.
Curated OER
Biography and Portraiture
Students determine the relationship between biography and portraiture. In this biography and portraiture lesson, students decide upon the differences and similarities between biography and portraits and whether or not biographical...
Curated OER
Batting Practice: Using Math to Calculate Baseball Statistics
Young scholars calculate and record batting average, hits, and at bats. In this Batting Practice: Using Math to Calculate Baseball Statistics lesson, students utilize mathematical formulas to determine the career statistics of baseball...
Curated OER
Lesson: Lauren Kelley: Icon Identity
Barbie gets a makeover, but not the type you may be thinking of. Critical thinkers explore social norms, storytelling, sexual and racial identity through art. They view the short animated film, Big Gurl, discuss how Barbie was altered...
Curated OER
Lesson: Younger Than Jesus: Understanding, Looking at, Making Abstract Art
Before the class makes abstract art, they see contemporary examples and analyze them. They look at art made by abstract artists under the age of 33 then use similar techniques to create an interesting collection of their own. The lesson...
Curated OER
Splat! Boom! Pow! the Influence of Cartoons in Contemporary Art
Students relate abstract expressionism and cultural influences on 1960's art. They use images appropriated from comic books to create a painting in the abstract expressionist style by changing the scale of the comic and reducing content...
Curated OER
The Power of the Image: Understanding Symbols in Buddhist Art
Young scholars discuss symbolism in art, examine various images of compassion in Buddhist tradition, analyzing components of the concept, and then produce their own images of compassion through art.
Curated OER
Putting a Spin on Current Events
Students discover propaganda. In this Greek mythology instructional activity, students discuss meanings of ancient art work with their class. Students investigate the dishonesty behind propaganda.
Curated OER
Forward, Into the Past!
Young scholars, during a (virtual) visit to a burial ground, think about the past by viewing tombstones as primary sources. They explain how the attitudes of Deerfield residents toward death and burial evolved from 1780-1880.
Curated OER
Speaking in Grave Tones
Fourth graders examine how a change in attitudes about death took place from the late eighteenth to the early nineteenth century and was embodied in gravestones, literature, and art.
Curated OER
Silent Symbols Speak Loudly: Icons, Brands & You
Learners view and discuss visual symbols around them every day, analyze symbols on United States one dollar bill, explore variety of meanings of same symbols depending on context and culture, and create their own money with symbols that...
Curated OER
African Art: Ntan Drum
Students study African history, anthropology and culture using the lens of the art object, Ntan Drum. Lesson and instruction is differentiated for elementary, middle and high school students.
Curated OER
Count Your Pennies
Learners analyze and compare imagery and symbolism in ancient Greek and contemporary U.S. coins.
Curated OER
Art as Storyteller
Students examine how paintings tell stories. They read biographies about artists, analyze paintings, research and write the art history of a painting, write a creative story based on the painting, and create a painting in the artist's...