Venetian Scene, ca. 1900
Oil on canvas
30 × 24 in. (76.2 × 60.96 cm)
Gift of Edward and Katie Misik M2021.788
Photo credit: John R. Glembin
Objective: Students will write in detail an imaginary short story that conveys an event connected
to their reflection on the Venetian Scene.
Look: Students will look at this piece of artwork quietly for one minute independently. Then, students will discuss what they see with a partner. If students are feeling stuck while discussing,
have them use the following questions as guiding questions: “What stands out to you?” “What
are the colors telling you?” “What emotion do you feel while looking at it?” “What people do
you see?” “Do you have any questions while looking at it?”
Write: Have students independently write a short story about what emotion they feel from the piece of artwork, and turn it into a story. The story should include the setting, characters, and
events that they feel they see through the artwork. Have them think about descriptive words they
could use. Students should write as much as they would like to express how they feel.
Share: Students will present the writing that they created in front of the entire class to share the
ideas they feel are expressed through the piece of artwork.
Standard: W.5.2 Write text in a variety of modes: c. Convey events, real or imagined, through
narrative/short stories which orients a reader by establishing a real or imagined situation and
introducing a narrator and characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally. Use
narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and
events or show the responses of characters to situations.