Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MDUSD/UCB H-SSP
8th Grade Lesson: Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper
Show Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane and guide students through completion
of Analyzing Art. After activity, show corresponding passage from Washington Irvings
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and read aloud.
Step Four
Using Arthur Rackham illustrations from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, students will create
a relief print to understand printing traditions of the time period.
*Note: World-renowned illustrator Arthur Rackman is considered by many to be the definitive
illustrator for Washington Irvings high spirited tale.
Students analyze the aspirations and ideals of the people of the new nation.
Discuss daily life, including traditions in art, music, and literature, of early national America (e.g., through writings by
Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper).
Students write and speak with a command of standard English conventions appropriate to this grade level.
Sentence Structure
1.1
Use correct and varied sentence types and sentence openings to present a lively and effective personal style.
1.3
Use subordination, coordination, apposition, and other devices to indicate clearly the relationship between ideas.
Grammar
1.4
Edit written manuscripts to ensure that correct grammar is used.
Punctuation and Capitalization
1.5
Use correct punctuation and capitalization.
Spelling
1.6
Use correct spelling conventions.
American Culture
Until the early 1800s, Americans took most of their cultural ideas from Great Britain and Europe. But as
American politics and the economy developed, so too did a new national culture. Writers and artists were
inspired by American history and the American landscape.
Like many people the world over, Americans expressed their thoughts and feelings in literature and
art One of the first American writers to gain international fame was
Washington Irving. Born in 1783, he was named after George
Washington. Irvings works often told about American history. Through a
humorous form of writing called satire, Irving warned that Americans
should learn from the past and be cautious about the future.
Irving shared this idea in one of his best-known short stories, Rip
Van Winkle. This story describes a man who falls asleep during the time
of the American Revolution. He wakes up 20 years later to a society he
does not recognize. Irving published this and another well-known tale,
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, in an 1819-20 collection.
In some of his most popular works, Irving combined European
influences with American settings and characters. His work served as a
bridge between European literary traditions and a new type of writer who
Washington Irving
focused on authentically American characters and society.
Perhaps the best known of these new writers was James Fenimore Cooper [pictured at left] Stories
about the West and the Native Americans who lived on the frontier fascinated him Coopers novels told of
settling the western frontier and included historical events. For example, his novel, The Last of the Mohicans
takes place during the French and Indian War. By placing fictional characters in a real historical setting, Cooper
popularized a type of writing called historical fiction
The writings of Irving and Cooper inspired painters. These artists began to
paint landscapes that showed the history of America and the beauty of the land.
Earlier American painters had mainly painted portraits. By the 1830s the
Hudson River school had emerged. The artists of the Hudson River School
created paintings that reflected national pride and an appreciation of the
American landscapeLandscape painter Thomas Cole was a founder of the
Hudson River school [He painted four scenes inspired by The Last of the
Mohicans.]
By the 1840s, the style of American paintings was changing. More artists were
trying to combine images of the American landscape with scenes from peoples daily lives. [The Legend of
Sleepy Hollow inspired Irvings friend and artist John Quidor to paint the storys climactic scene in 1958.
Though The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane hangs in the Smithsonian American Art Museum
today, Quidor was little appreciated in his own time, and was obliged to support himself by painting the panels
of stage coaches and fire engines.]
Teacher Key
Effect
[Because]
As American politics and the economy
developed
[Because]
Irving combined European influences with
American settings and characters.
[Because]
The writings of Irving and Cooper inspired
painters.
Lesson Questions:
What type of literature did James Fenimore Cooper popularize? historical fiction
What type of painting preceded landscape art?
portrait art
NAME_________________________
Effect
[Because]
[Because]
[Because]
Lesson Question:
What type of literature did James Fenimore Cooper popularize?
What type of painting preceded landscape art?
What development in landscape art occurred in the 1840s?
As yet the panic of the steed had given his unskilful rider an apparent advantage in the chase, but just as
he had got half way through the hollow, the girths of the saddle gave way, and he felt it slipping from
under him. He seized it by the pommel, and endeavored to hold it firm, but in vain; and had just time to
save himself by clasping old Gunpowder round the neck, when the saddle fell to the earth, and he heard it
trampled under foot by his pursuer. For a moment the terror of Hans Van Ripper's wrath passed across his
mind,--for it was his Sunday saddle; but this was no time for petty fears; the goblin was hard on his
haunches; and (unskilful rider that he was!) he had much ado to maintain his seat; sometimes slipping on
one side, sometimes on another, and sometimes jolted on the high ridge of his horse's backbone, with a
violence that he verily feared would cleave him asunder.
An opening in the trees now cheered him with the hopes that the church bridge was at hand. The wavering
reflection of a silver star in the bosom of the brook told him that he was not mistaken. He saw the walls of
the church dimly glaring under the trees beyond. He recollected the place where Brom Bones's ghostly
competitor had disappeared. "If I can but reach that bridge," thought Ichabod, "I am safe." Just then he
heard the black steed panting and blowing close behind him; he even fancied that he felt his hot breath.
Another convulsive kick in the ribs, and old Gunpowder sprang upon the bridge; he thundered over the
resounding planks; he gained the opposite side; and now Ichabod cast a look behind to see if his pursuer
should vanish, according to rule, in a flash of fire and brimstone. Just then he saw the goblin rising in his
stirrups, and in the very act of hurling his head at him
ANALYZING ART
Name:
It tells me ..
I wonder ..
scared
part of the painting and
Man on dark horse is
was important to the artists
holding a pumpkin
The dark shadows are to
looks like he is going to
make the painting seem
throw it cant see his
scarier.
head
Trees lots of color, moss
all over trees
Dead trees in the
foreground
A lot of dark shadows
Mountains in the
background
Small town in the
background
The Landscape is very
detailed.
Use the sentence starters below to discuss the image.
I noticed
It looks like
Media: Oil Painting
It shows
The painting describes
I think that
WHY: Analysis
This painting tells me part of the story of the Headless Horseman. It shows the Headless Horseman
chasing Ichabod Crane. The viewer sees an active chase scene and is able to root for one of the horsemen.
The artist made the landscape a big part of the painting in order to create drama.
From the Text: The writings of Irving and Cooper inspired painters. These artists began to paint
landscapes and the beauty of the land. Early American painters had mainly painted portraits. By the
1830s the Hudson River School had emerged. The Hudson River School created paintings that reflected
national pride and an appreciation for the natural landscape. (Deverell, 271-2)
TEACHER NOTE: Give the students time to study the image, first on their own then with peers. Have
students discuss and then share out what they see. Encourage students to add items their peer have seen
they did not originally see. Ask leading questions to help students see things they may have missed.
Name:
The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane shows that John Quidor thought that
(Name, title of image)
(WHO? Artist)
Ichabod crane was scared. Ichabod believed the Headless Horseman was real and he
(WHAT? message regarding event)
wanted to get away from him. John Quidor shows the fear on Ichabods face
because he is being chased. Ichabod could still get away! Will he?
(details of the image)
8 /10 points
Name:
The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane shows that John Quidor
(Name, title of image)
(WHO? Artist)
thought that Ichabod crane was scared. Ichabod believed the Headless Horseman was real and
(WHAT? message regarding event)
he wanted to get away from him. John Quidor shows the fear on Ichabods face
because he is being chased. John Quidor uses light and shading to focus the viewers attention
(details of the image)
on the horsemen in the center of the image. He shows shadows in the trees and the safety of a
brightly lit town in the background.
10 /10 points
ANALYZING ART
Name: ___________________
I see .
It tells me ..
I wonder ..
It shows
The painting describes
Media:____________________________________
WHY: Analysis
I think that
Name: ________________
_____/10 points
Name: ________________
_____/10 points
Relief Printing
Relief Printing is a process used to create multiple copies of an image.
Relief printing originated in China during the 5th century. Chinese artisans used wood blocks to create an
image and then print multiple copies by rolling ink over the surface of the woodblock, laying a sheet of
clean paper onto the inked block, applying pressure, and pulling the print off the block.
Relief printing came into wide use as an art form in Europe in the 1400s. Beginning in the 1500s with the
advent of movable type, relief printing was used in the production of books using a Letterpress. Printing
could be done by hand in small sets or on a Letterpress for great quantities. Rather than having to hand
letter each page, more books could now be made, making books accessible to a larger audience. Invented
by Johannes Gutenberg, Letterpress was the main form of printing text in the mid-15th century until the
19th century and remained in wide use for books, broadsheets (posters), and works of art until the second
half of the 20th century.
In America, this type of printing was used as early as 1638, when Stephen Daye printed The Freeman's
Oath, a broadsheet on the Letterpress he brought over from England. Benjamin Franklins The NewEngland Courant, one of the oldest American newspapers, was completely printed by Letterpress. When
images were needed to illustrate the text, publishers inserted a wood block with the image carved on to it.
In modern printmaking, many materials, such as linoleum or card stock, can be used in place of the wood
block or Matrix.
Plexiglas or wax-Paper
Scissors or Ex-acto Knives
Cardboard Scraps
Create a Matrix:
Draw an image onto one sheet of card stock.
Decide what parts of the image need to be black and what parts should be white. Cut away all the
parts that need to be white. Tip: Place cardboard under your card stock to protect the surface of the
table while cutting.
Carefully glue this piece of card stock to another sheet of card stock for strength. [The image will
print backwards, if your image needs to be reversed, glue it down backwards.]
Let the glued matrix dry.
Printing the Matrix:
Set up a work area with a large sheet of butcher paper covering the table. Have scraps of paper ready to
place under the matrix while you are inking. Keep the main table surface keep so that you can keep the
edges of you prints clean.
Prepare the ink by rolling out a line of ink on the edge of the Plexiglas or wax-paper. Use the Brayer to
roll the ink out in both directions to provide a nice flat ink surface of ink on the Plexiglas and the surface
of the Brayer.
Roll the inked up brayer onto the surface of the matrix transferring the ink. You will need to roll the brayer
over the matrix 2 or 3 times to get a even layer. You may need to pick up more ink from the Plexiglas.
Look at the surface of your matrix to make sure you have coated it evenly.
Place the Matrix inked side up - on to a clean sheet of paper so that you can insure a clean background.
Place a clean sheet of paper on top of the inked Matrix. Apply even pressure with the palm of your hand
over the entire surface of the paper. Check the print by pulling up one corner of the top sheet to see that
the ink has transferred evenly. If it appears solid carefully pull the whole sheet up. If the ink has not
transferred all of the way apply more pressure. Typically the first print is light. Print as many as you like
Notes: Some images are provided with this lesson for the students who may need more inspiration. If
students are more comfortable with their own drawing skills let them create their own image. Be sure the
students know that their final image will be only one color, so if they want to show detail the must show it
by cutting something away.
Quiz Key
1. Washington Irving, one of the first American writers to gain international fame, wrote about
American history using a humorous style called satire.
2. James Fenimore Cooper began a new style of literature that combined American characters in real
historical settings. This style is called historical fiction.
3. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Last of the Mohicans inspired artists to paint landscapes.
4. Before this new style of art, artists had mainly painted portraits.
5. Begun by Thomas Cole, the Hudson River School produced artists who created paintings that
reflected national pride.
Bonus Question: If you were a painter during the 1800s and you couldnt sell your fantastic artwork,
how else might you earn a living? by painting stage coaches and fire engines
Quiz
1. Washington Irving, one of the first American writers to gain international fame, wrote about
American history using a humorous style called _______________.
2. James Fenimore Cooper began a new style of literature that combined American characters in real
historical settings. This style is called ______________ ______________ .
3. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Last of the Mohicans inspired artists to paint ___________ .
4. Before this new style of art, artists had mainly painted _________________ .
5. Begun by Thomas Cole, the _______________ ________________ School produced artists who
created paintings that reflected national pride.
Bonus Question: If you were a painter during the 1800s and you couldnt sell your fantastic artwork,
how else might you earn a living?