The Big Idea:

How are artists revolutionary?

Activity overview

Since an artwork often reflects the cultural background of the artist, you can better understand a work of art if you know what was going on in the world when it was made. By studying a few of the artists featured in Making Sense of Modern Art, you will learn to identify the revolutionary characteristics of their work.

Look closely

Click on each artist button at right to view detailed screens about the artist and his or her works. Be sure to click on all images, view all videos, read all documents, and use the zoom tool to look closely at the works of art.

In this activity you will:

1. discover four artists and their political motivations
2. create an analysis chart that compares them
3. present your chart to the class

You will be graded on:

1. research notes from Making Sense of Modern Art
2. your analysis chart
3. participation in class discussion

New terms:

Revolutionary