Curriculum Materials: Art in America



Image 20

James van DerZee
(1886-1983)
Harlem Couple


Key Points

Essays:
About the Artist
The Harlem Renaissance
About this Object

Questions:
Look Questions
Think Questions



Look Questions

1. Where are these people? How can you tell?

2. Is this a candid photograph or a posed PORTRAIT? What clues led you to your answer?

3. Was this photo taken recently or a while ago? How can you tell?

4. Where do you see vertical lines? Where do you see horizontal lines? Where do these lines form PATTERNS? Where do these horizontal and vertical lines meet to make GEOMETRIC shapes? Find other geometric shapes. Where are geometric shapes repeated?

5. Where does van DerZee contrast light and dark in this photo? Rough and smooth? Shiny and dull? Soft and hard? Horizontal and vertical?

Teacher Answer Key



To the Teacher ~ Introduction ~ Timeline ~ Artwork Index ~ Categories for Comparison ~ Glossary ~ How to Order ~ Your Comments