Portrait of a Colonial Artisan - Picturing Early America

48 Pages·2010·26.88 MB·English

Researching and Representing
Trades and Occupations in
Colonial America.
Dominique Dart
NEH – Picturing Early America 2010
Students will learn about the common trades and
 
crafts of colonial America, and about the process of
becoming an artisan, through research and virtual
tours of living history museums.
Students will create a detailed written portrait of
 
an artisan and of his craft/trade.
Students will learn about portraiture and what
 
portraits can teach us about the sitters and their
society.
Students will draw/paint a “self portrait” as an
 
artisan, using the common devices used in
portraits of that time.
2.9 For texture, use and be able to differentiate between surface texture
 
and the illusion of texture (visual texture)
2.11 For space and composition, create unified 2D and 3D compositions
 
that demonstrate an understanding of balance, repetition, rhythm, scale,
proportion, unity, harmony, and emphasis. Create 2D compositions that
give the illusion of 3D space and volume
3.4 Create 2D and 3D representational artwork from direct observation
 
in order to develop skills of perception, discrimination, physical
coordination, and memory of detail
4.5 Demonstrate the ability to describe preliminary concepts verbally; to
 
visualize concepts in clear schematic layouts; and to organize and
complete projects
5.6 Demonstrate the ability to describe the kinds of imagery used to
 
represent subject matter and ideas, for example, literal representation,
simplification, abstraction, or symbolism
History and Social Science Curriculum
 
Framework:
Research, Evidence, and Point of View. Students
 
will acquire the ability to frame questions that can
be answered by historical study and research; to
collect, evaluate, and employ information from
primary and secondary sources, and to apply it in
oral and written presentations. They will
understand many kinds and uses of evidence; and
by comparing historical narratives, they will
differentiate historical fact from historical
interpretation and from fiction.
History
 
Level II (Grades 5-6)   
 
1. 
 
Understands the factors that shaped the economic system in the
colonies and the Americas (e.g., labor systems, natural resources,
relations with other countries and the home country)
 2. 
 
Understands economic life in the New England, Chesapeake, and
southern colonies (e.g., environmental and human factors; the
work people did; the crops that plantation, yeoman, and family
farmers grew;
Language Arts
 
Writing  
 
1. Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process

INTRODUCTION.
What is a trade? What were some of the common trades of the
Colonial times?
Give students a list of common trades of that time.
How did people learn a trade?
In colonial America, apprenticeship was the usual means by which
young men entered a trade and master craftsmen obtained the
labor necessary to staff their workshops. A young man’s
guardian signed an indenture (contract) for a period of time
and the apprentice in turn was to receive food, lodging, and
knowledge of “the mysteries of the trade,” or traditional craft
practices. (historymatters.gmu.edu)
  Apothecary - acted as pharmacist, doctor, dentist, and general storekeeper
  Barber
  Blacksmith-Armorer - made things from iron and repaired weapons
  Bookbinder
  Breechesmaker - mades breeches
  Brickmaker
  Cabinetmaker - made and repaired furniture
  Carpenter-joiner - built interiors of ships and houses
  Chandler - made candles
  Cooper - made containers of wood, such as barrels
  Cutler - made, sold, and repaired knives and scissors
  Farrier - shoed horses and acted as a veterinarian
  Goldsmith - made hollow ware (bowls, cups, and vases) and jewelry
  Gunsmith
  Hatter
  Leather dresser
  Mantuamaker - dressmaker
  Milliner - made dresses and hats and sold accessories
  Music Teacher
  Printer - published the newspaper, sold books and other printed materials, and often served as postmaster
  Ropemaker
  Saddler - made saddles, harnesses, and other leather items
  Shoemaker
  Silversmith
  Tavern Keeper - provided meals, drinks, entertainment, and lodging
  Weaver
  Wheelwright - made wheels and carts
  Wigmaker
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Show and Discuss the trades.
Can you guess the trade? What are they
 
making?
What materials/tools are being used?
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Discuss the usefulness of the trade and the
objects. What is still relevant today, etc.