Time: One or two 45-minute class periods

Level: Middle school

Learning Connections: Language Arts, Visual Arts

Objectives
In considering the question, "How can I express my many different sides?" students will:

• examine Paul Gauguin's self-portraits and letters (all primary documents) to learn about the individual who created them
• consider how first-person art forms (self-portraits, diaries, letters, journals) aid the process of self-discovery
• compare works of art in a Venn diagram
• produce a symbolic self-portrait

Materials

Writing materials, scissors, magazines that can be cut up, backing paper or cardboard, glue, painting/drawing tools such as colored pencils, markers, tempera, poster or oil paint or oil pastels.

Lesson Implementation

1. Instruct students to read the biography of Gauguin.
2. Discuss the two self-portraits in class, using the discussion points below.
3. Have students read and respond to questions and comparisons in the student activities: Paul Gauguin in Words and Pictures and Two Faces of Paul Gauguin.
4. Have students fill in the Venn diagram using the two self-portraits of Gauguin.
5. Encourage students to create a symbolic self-portrait and explain the various symbols used in an oral presentation to the class.

Assessment

• Evaluate Venn diagrams. Did students grasp the similarities and differences?
• Evaluate symbolic self-portraits based on these questions: Does the self-portrait use a variety of symbols to answer the question: "How can I express my many different sides?" Is the student able to explain the symbols to the class?

Background Information

Read a brief biography of Gauguin.

Discussion Points

Tell students they must refer to specific details in the two Gauguin self-portraits to support their statements.

Questions for Self-Portrait

1. What's happening in this painting? Describe all the things you see.
2. Where is this figure?
3. Does this represent a real person?
4. How is this different from most self-portraits you've seen?
5. Describe his mood. What do you base your response on?
6. Talk about the use of color. List the prominent colors and the association they have for you.
7. What can you infer about the artist just from looking at this work?

Questions for Self-Portrait for Carrière

1. What/who is this? How do you know?
2. Where is this person?
3. How does he spend his time, based on what you see here?
4. Describe his mood. Use visual elements to support your answer: colors, angle of pose, type of gaze, body language.
5. What is his attitude (cocky, jaunty, self-satisfied, dreamy, cranky, self-assured, romantic)?
6. What's happening beyond the window?
7. Anything unusual about this work?