1. Zoom-In Inquiry Students should have prior knowledge of the
elements of art (shape, line, texture, color, value, space).
Children at the FSA (Farm Security Administration) Camelback Farms inspect the photographer's camera, Phoenix, Arizona
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

2. How might art connect to history and culture?
Gas ration stamps being printed, Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Determine what you see and what questions you might ask to….
“get the big picture”

3. What shapes do you see?

4. What do you think these new shapes represent?

5. Where is the art element of line used?

6. Does the texture of the house look smooth or rough? Why?

7. How are these new shapes different than the others?

8. Who might these figures represent?

9. Name the colors you see.

10. What values do you see?

11. Where did the artist use overlapping shapes to show space?

12. Who do you think the figures are communicating with?

13. How do you think the figures are feeling?
Are they happy, sad, or angry?

14. Why is this figure dressed different than the others?

15. Using all of the clues, make a hypothesis about what is
happening in this painting.

16. Why do you think William H. Johnson chose this as a
subject to paint?

17. Make another hypothesis about the setting for this picture
Make another hypothesis about the setting for this picture. Is this a scene from the past, present, or future?

18. What title would you give to this painting?

19. Off to War
created in 1942 by William H. Johnson - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

20. How does this information confirm or change your hypothesis?
Library of Congress, American Treasures Exhibit, Memory.

21. Understanding the Big Picture
What makes a great work of art? Would this painting be as interesting if any of the elements of art we discussed were missing? (shape, line, texture, color, value, space)
Where do artists get their ideas? In what ways do culture and experience inspire artistic expression?

22. Additional information about William H
Additional information about William H. Johnson is on the following slides.

23. Biography of William H. Johnson
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Artists

24. Other Work by Johnson Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
On a John Brown flight
Training for War
Jitterbugs III
Blind Singer
Going to Church
Sowing

25. What Were Two of William Johnson’s Favorite Subjects to Paint?
Does this help?
Religious Subjects from Black American Culture
Scenes from Black American History

26. Follow-Up Art Activities
Paint a picture using a minimum of three art elements to depict a scene from your daily life.
Create a paper collage using a minimum of four art elements to depict a scene from American history.
Make a three dimensional sculpture utilizing all seven art elements to symbolize a family tradition or event.

27. How might art connect to history and culture?

28. National Standards for Arts Education
Content Standard #5:
Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others
Content Standard #4
Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures