The National Gallery in London has one of the best and most informative websites I have come across. It’s full of useful information, and features miniatures of nearly every work of art on display.

The lesson presented below combines a web-based task with a communicative task (presenting a painting and discussing it). The website should be clear enough to follow, even for lower levels (be sure to give them plenty of time and support, though). It would be great if the paintings students have chosen for the presentation could be projected onto an IWB – but simply displaying them on screens should be enough.

Do try this lesson, even (especially?) with students who seem to lack any artistic tendencies – both the website and the worksheet provide a lighter and more practical approach to art, and should therefore be palatable. The lesson is also a good way to prepare your students before an excursion (possibly a good idea to take it to a summer school).

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