Understanding Propaganda through

American Art

By:Mary Cadigan, Halina Fuja, Dina Koustas, Mila Ostojic,

and Agatha Panait

Gray School

Washington Crossing the Delaware

Emanuel Leutze (American: 1816–1868), Washington Crossing the Delaware, 1851, oil on canvas; 149 x 255 in. (378.5 x 647.7 cm.). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of John Stewart Kennedy, 1897 (97.34)

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Romancing our Students

"In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

- President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address

Key Ideas about the artwork that informed the lesson

Like words, art images can inform, persuade, and manipulate

Leutze’s deliberate inaccuracies in Washington Crossing served his own political agenda

An image can have different meanings for audiences of different times and places—in fact a familiar image can serve as the vehicle for political satire and humor

What students learned

How to analyze text and images for their direct and indirect messages

To appreciate art for its power to present ideas and express emotional and symbolic meaning

Historical context via different venues How propaganda and political satire can

relate to works of art

Learning Activities

Anticipation Guide Observation vs.

Interpretation Activity Close Read Web Quest

Obama’s Inaugural Speech / Painting (comparison activity)

Political cartoons (view & create)

Anticipation Guide

Anticipation Guide

Observation vs. Interpretation Activity

Obama’s Inaugural Speech / Painting (comparison activity)

Analyzing and Creating Political Cartoons

Student Reflections

“ I learned so much about how art is like reading” - 5th grade student

“ I like learning about how Leutze ran away from Germany because his father wanted freedom” – Gabriel and Carlos, 5th grade students

“ I liked learning how propaganda is everywhere” – Leslie, 8th grade student

“ I liked interpreting the story behind the picture” – Monica, 7th Grade student

“ I learned that pictures sometimes have mistakes, and that artists sometimes put their thoughts and feelings into the painting” –Christian , 7th grade student

What We Learned

Students need to know art vocabulary to be able to analyze paintings

Students need to be familiar with the historical context

Students need time to enjoy and contemplate art

ELL and special needs students benefit from alternative ways of learning