This Learning Lab complements the National Portrait Gallery's student program, Visualizing Democracy. 

Students will visualize democracy from the colonial era to the 21st century by analyzing portraits of major figures who played a critical role—as government officials, engaged citizens, or both—in creating a democratic society for the United States. Students will investigate how portraiture can convey democratic ideals and how, as a cultural institution housed in a historic building, the National Portrait Gallery has been and continues to be relevant to American democracy.

Objectives

After completing this lesson, students will be better able to: 

• Identify key components of a portrait and discuss what one can learn about the sitter through these components. 
• Analyze the history of portraiture and understand how it has evolved from a means to document wealthy individuals to an accessible art form used to represent people from all walks of life. 
• Understand the nuance of the word democracy, to comprehend how portraiture’s evolution (the democratization of portraiture) has helped democratize society by giving voice to individuals who have historically been underrepresented. 
• Discuss the three branches of federal government and the value of citizen involvement in a democracy. Analyze the legacy of individuals who have been instrumental in creating, improving, and maintaining American democracy. 
• Recognize and analyze how cultural institutions, like the National Portrait Gallery, are important components of a robust democracy. 

Schedule a virtual Visualizing Democracy student program with National Portrait Gallery educators.

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Keywords: Democracy, Government, Branches of Government, Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Presidents, Activists, Citizen Engagement, Military, Founding Fathers, Vote, Voting Rights, Art, Portraits, Portraiture, American Democracy, American Government, Suffrage, Disenfranchised, Democratization