Connection to Art
The image above, "The Trail of Tears" by Max D. Standley, is an oil painting of the Cherokee Indians' forced relocation from the south to lands west of the Mississippi River.
This image is just one painting of a series of oil paintings by Max D. Standley called the "Trail of Tears" series. The images can be accessed at
http://www.maxdstandley.com/trail_of_tears_series/tot_series.html.
During instruction, this specific painting can be used as a visual representation of the Trail of Tears. Students can discuss what is happening in the painting and should discuss how the people are feeling. Students should come to the conclusion that the people are sad. More than this, it is important that the students examine the painting for possible explanations for these emotions. For example, a student could state that the people are sad because they had to leave their homes and their friends and family members are dying on the journey. The student might point out the burial scene on the left hand side of the painting as proof of this statement. This painting and the others in the "Trail of Tears" series by Standley portray various moments in the Native American removal process that began in the 1830s and should provide students the opportunity to empathize with the Native American peoples that were forced from their lands by Jackson's policies. These paintings can serve as strong historical tools because they not only visually represent a historical event, but also evoke emotion by the audience.
During instruction, this specific painting can be used as a visual representation of the Trail of Tears. Students can discuss what is happening in the painting and should discuss how the people are feeling. Students should come to the conclusion that the people are sad. More than this, it is important that the students examine the painting for possible explanations for these emotions. For example, a student could state that the people are sad because they had to leave their homes and their friends and family members are dying on the journey. The student might point out the burial scene on the left hand side of the painting as proof of this statement. This painting and the others in the "Trail of Tears" series by Standley portray various moments in the Native American removal process that began in the 1830s and should provide students the opportunity to empathize with the Native American peoples that were forced from their lands by Jackson's policies. These paintings can serve as strong historical tools because they not only visually represent a historical event, but also evoke emotion by the audience.