Genres of Paintings Painting Genres    

Lesson 21: History - The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor

by Nathaniel Currier

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's genre.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

In the American Revolution, the American colonists fought for independence from the British. Nathaniel Currier's painting, 'The Destruction of Tea at Boston Harbor,' captured one event in 1773 that helped to lead to war. The painting depicts the Boston Tea Party, a colonial protest against British taxes on tea. During the protest, the Sons of Liberty dressed as American Indians and tossed three entire boats-worth of British tea into Boston Harbor.

Vocabulary

Colony: A country or area under the full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one, and occupied by settlers from that country.
Colonial: Relating to or characteristic of a colony or colonies.
Colonist: A settler in or inhabitant of a colony.
Independence: The fact or state of being independent or free from external rule.
British: Relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom, or to its people or language.
Tea: A hot drink made by infusing the dried, crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water.
Sons of Liberty: A secret society of American colonists formed to combat taxation by the British.
Native American: A member of any of the originating peoples of the Americas.
Harbor: A place on the coast where vessels may find shelter, especially one protected from rough water by piers, jetties, and other artificial structures.

Concepts

1. History paintings are historically the most respected genre of painting.
2. Contrary to what you might think from the name, history paintings do not always depict true life events from history.
3. The Latin word 'historia' means 'story,' and is where 'history paintings' get their name.
4. History paintings tell stories, whether true events from history or fictitious stories from the imagination.
5. History paintings may also be called 'historical paintings.'
6. Select types of history paintings include, 1) Religious, 2) Literary (books other than mythological), 3) Allegorical (contains symbolism or hidden meanings), and 4) Historical (real historical events).
7. See below examples of four common types of history paintings: 1) Gerard van Honthorst's 'Adoration of the Shepherds' (Religious - Baby Jesus), 2) Sir John Everett Millais' 'Ophelia' (Literary - Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'), 3) C. Allan Gilbert's 'All is Vanity' (Allegorical - Lady Looking in Mirror vs Skull), and 4) 'Declaration of Independence' by John Trumbull (Historical).

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Zoom in to find the following in the artwork:

• Cheering Colonists
• Boxes to Tea
• Sons of Liberty
• People in Disguise
• Flag
• Harbor
• Boston
• Ship Masts
• Ship Rigging

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Map the Artwork

Zoom in on the map of New England to find the state of Massachusetts, the city of Boston, and Boston Harbor.

Activity 4: Color Massachusetts on the Map of New England   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 45 of 'Third Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Activity 5: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 46 of 'Third Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 7

Answer 1

The characters in the artwork are the Sons of Liberty and their fellow cheering colonists.

1 / 7

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 7

Answer 2

The setting is Boston Harbor in the state of Massachusetts.

2 / 7

Question 3

What disguises are the Sons of Liberty wearing?

3 / 7

Answer 3

The Sons of Liberty are dressed as American Indians.

3 / 7

Question 4

What are the Sons of Liberty throwing into the Harbor?

4 / 7

Answer 4

The Sons of Liberty are throwing tea into the harbor.

4 / 7

Question 5

Why are the Sons of Liberty throwing tea into the harbor?

5 / 7

Answer 5

The Sons of Liberty are throwing tea into the harbor to protest a British tax on the tea.

5 / 7

Question 6

Into which genre is this painting classified?

6 / 7

Answer 6

This painting falls into the history genre.

6 / 7

Question 7

Is the portrait best described as a religious, literary, allegorical, or historical history painting?

7 / 7

Answer 7

This painting is best described as a historical painting within the history painting genre.

7 / 7

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters in the artwork are the Sons of Liberty and their fellow cheering colonists.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is Boston Harbor in the state of Massachusetts.
3. What disguises are the Sons of Liberty wearing? The Sons of Liberty are dressed as American Indians.
4. What are the Sons of Liberty throwing into the Harbor? The Sons of Liberty are throwing tea into the harbor.
5. Why are the Sons of Liberty throwing tea into the harbor? The Sons of Liberty are throwing tea into the harbor to protest a British tax on the tea.
6. Into which genre is this painting classified? This painting falls into the history genre.
7. Is the portrait best described as a religious, literary, allegorical, or historical history painting? This painting is best described as a historical painting within the history painting genre.

References

'Boston Tea Party.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'History painting.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.