Alexander, John White, Artist. Picture Writing mural in Evolution of the Book series, by John W. Alexander. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C. Washington D.C, ca. 1896. [Mural ; Photographed 1990] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2005675757/.
Teachers can use the mural as an introduction to the elements and principles of design in art, or it could be used as a starting point to discuss Native American history, identity, and representation. It could also be used as a study into art and pictures as a storytelling device.
This photo is one part of a six-part mural on the history of the book. This photo was taken after conservation of the mural. This mural depicts an American Indian writing on a hide with an Indian woman in the background.
The Picture Writing mural is part of a larger series that John W. Alexander did for the Library of Congress entitled The Evolution of the Book. This commission was done for the expansion of the library that opened in 1897 and named for President Jefferson. Jefferson sold more than 6,000 books from his own library to help the recovery after the Library of Congress suffered extensive losses when the British burned the capitol in the War of 1812.
- What first captures your attention in the mural?
- What do you think about the mural’s colors?
- Do you recognize anything in the mural?
- How can pictures tell a story?
- How do elements of design work together to create a work of art?
- Why is it important to have cultural representation in storytelling and art?
Common Core State Standards & Texas ELAR TEKS
RL.6.6 - Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.
- Students should be able to evaluate the point of view in the mural and compare/contrast to the points of view in Native American folklore.
TEKS E2.5H - Respond orally or in writing with appropriate register, vocabulary, tone, and voice
- After studying the photograph and the history behind Egyptian hieroglyphs, students should be able to discuss and debate the mural’s place in The Evolution of the Book series.
TEKS E2.8C - Evaluate the author’s use of print and graphic features to achieve specific purposes.
- Students can apply the visual elements of design to the mural and determine how successful Alexander was in using them to achieve his purpose.
- Use the mural to introduce the elements of design, such as those provided by the Massachusetts College of Art & Design. Students should be able to find examples of each element in the design and then be able to discuss how they work together to tell a story.
- After discussing the mural, have students read some Native American folklore. The Library of Congress has suggested reading for preschool students through adults. Students should choose one story and turn it into a picture book. They should determine what elements, symbols, and colors would best represent the tale and how it should be presented on the page.
- N. Scott Momaday has a PBS Learning plan for teachers on the Story of the Seven Sisters and the story of Man-Kah-Ih (Tornado). Have students watch the video and answer the provided discussion questions. Then, using the videos, have students compare and contrast how the elements of design were used to tell each specific myth. How would the designs be different if they were painted on an animal skin, like in the mural, and static instead of a dynamic video?
- Some families, especially those with younger students, may be uncomfortable looking at nudity in the art.
- Utah Museum for Fine Arts has a handout that details strategies for teaching nude art in the classroom, broken down for grades K–3, 4–8, and 9–12.
- The mural depicts some stereotypes of Native Americans, but it could be a starting point for discussing how Native Americans have been depicted and stereotyped throughout history.
Links to resources for approaching those topics
- The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has a full lesson plan for Exploring Native American Identities and Stereotypes.
- The book Indian Nature Myths has several illustrations of Native American myths; however, like Alexander, neither the author or illustrator seem to be of a Native American origin.
- The Library of Congress has a collection, Exploring the Early Americas, that has Mayan examples of picture writing.
- Annelise K. Madsen’s dissertation for Art & Art History at Stanford details some of the history of the Library of Congress murals and The Evolution of the Book. Information begins on page 40.
- The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art biography for the mural’s artist, John W. Alexander.
- The National Museum of the American Indian has several resources for teaching about Native Americans.