Double Visions


Instructions
The main idea is to look closely at the matched images. Use the questions and especially your own eyes and ideas to see things you might have missed if the pictures weren't paired together. Click on the pictures or the titles to go to a larger version of the work. To help you notice things, you can use the questions below as well as the general questions. The main thing is to explore the artworks and your ideas and feelings. You can also see a feedback rubric to help you.

Important: Did you read and understand the © Copyright Agreement?
Last Moments of John Brown
The Last Moments
of John Brown

Thomas Hovenden
American, 1840 - 1895
The Trial of John Brown
The Trial of John Brown

Horace Pippin
American, 1888 - 1946


Questions to Get You Started

  1. Who was John Brown?
  2. What is John Brown doing in each of the paintings?
  3. What are the people's reactions around John Brown?
  4. How would you describe the style of the two paintings?
  5. Why do you think the two artists painted in these two different styles? What do you think each was trying to say about John Brown?
  6. Describe how at least three elements of design are used by the artists to communicate their purposes. Find cool things that attract you!
Do you want to look at a more complete list of general questions provided by Professor Craig Roland?

Coming to an Opinion

Now that you have studied the two paintings by looking and questioning, it's time to show what you've discovered. Fill in the fields below, then click the "Double Visions" button to post your page. Print out, present, and discuss your ideas with other art historians.


    Your name:

    Compare and contrast how three main design elements are used in these artworks. How do the differences or similarities show us interesting things about what the artists have created?
    (Would you like to see a feedback rubric?)




                      




First Posted December 1995.
Last revised February, 2014
By Tom March, tom at ozline dot com