“The Power of Art”

Recommended for Grades 6-8:What symbolizes power? How do people rise to power in different cultures? Consider how artists throughout the

centuries have represented people in power. From portraits to ceremonial objects, explore the powerful influence of art, and

the effects it can have on everyday life across the globe.

Social Studies: 6.H.1, 6.H.2, 6.E.1, 6.C&G.1, 6.C.1 7.H.1, 7.H.2, 7.E.1, 7.C&G.1, 7.C.1

8.H.1, 8.H.2, 8.H.3, 8.E.1, 8.C&G.1, 8.C&G.2, 8.C.1

Visual Arts: 6.V.1, 6.V.2, 6.CX.1, 6.CR.1, 7.V.1, 7.V.2, 7.CX.1, 7.CR.1, 8.V.1, 8.V.2, 8.CX.1, 8.CR.1;

English Language Arts: 6.SL.1, 6.SL.2, 6.SL.3, 6.SL.4, 6.SL.6, 7.SL.1, 7.SL.2, 7.SL.3, 7.SL.4, 7.SL.6, 8.SL.1, 8.SL.2, 8.SL.3, 8.SL.4, 8.SL.6

North Carolina Common Core and Essential Standards Correlations:

Pre-Visit Key Questions:

• What details might you add to a portrait or a work of art to let viewers know it’s important or powerful?

• How do representations of power vary from one work of art to the next? From culture to culture?

Studio of Hyacthine Rigaud, Louis XV (1710-1774) (French, c. 1715-17)

Rembrandt Peale, George Washington (1732-1799)

(American, c. 1855)

Queen Mother Cloth in the Mmaban ("Mixed" or "There are Many") Pattern (African, c. 1930-40)

Beaded Crown (Adé) (African, 20th century)

Jan Lievens, Feast of Esther (Dutch, c. 1625)

Anthony van Dyck, Lady Mary Villiers, Later Duchess of Richmond and Lennox (1622-1685), with Charles Hamilton, Lord Arran

(circa 1630-1640) (Flemish, c. 1637)

Torso of Emperor in Guise of Jupiter

(Roman, 1st Century)

Joseph-Siffred Duplessis,Benjamin Franlkin (1706-1790)

(French, c. 1779)

Roger Brown, Landscape with Revolutionary Heroes, (American, 1983)

Post-Visit Key Questions:

• Was there one work of art you saw that you found the most “powerful” today?

• What are some different ways artists can represent power? Like a figure or leader can be powerful, can an object/image/message also be powerful? How so?