Understanding Propaganda
through American Art
By:
Mary Cadigan, Halina Fuja, Dina
Koustas, Mila Ostojic, and
Agatha Panait
Gray School
Washington Crossing the Delaware
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
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)
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