<p>This Learning Lab complements the National Portrait Gallery's student program, Visualizing Democracy. </p> <p>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.</p><p><strong>Objectives</strong></p><p>After completing this lesson, students will be better able to: </p><ul><li>Identify key components of a portrait and discuss what one can learn about the sitter through these components. </li><li>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. </li><li>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. </li><li>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. </li><li>Recognize and analyze how cultural institutions, like the National Portrait Gallery, are important components of a robust democracy. </li></ul><p><a href="https://npg.si.edu/teachers/school-groups">Schedule</a> a virtual Visualizing Democracy student program with National Portrait Gallery educators.</p> <p>#NPGteach</p><p>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</p> <p></p>