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?
A River Landscape

A River Landscape
Asher Brown Durand
American, 1796 - 1886
 		View near the Village of Catskill

View near the Village of Catskill
Thomas Cole
American, 1801 - 1848


Questions to Get You Started

  1. What's the subject of each of the two paintings?

  2. Do you think the paintings are more similar or different?

  3. What do you think the painters are trying to show in their landscapes?

  4. What feelings do you get from each scene?

  5. Look carefully at details within the paintings to decide how the artists' purposes might differ.

  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