From the 1700s to present day, the economic success of St. Thomas was dependent on the maritime trade passing through its large and protected harbor. This artwork, from around 1850, shows the harbor at the peak of its prosperity under Danish rule, when it was frequented by both sailing and steam ships of all nations.
In this activity, students will use questions from an Analyze Artwork worksheet to observe a lithograph of the Charlotte Amalie harbor. They will examine the boats in the harbor and consider the theme of changes in science, technology and society.
Activity Type
Historical Period:
Keywords
About
Primary Sources in this Activity
Suggested Teaching Instructions
If this is the first-time students are working with a primary source, take a few minutes to introduce the definition of primary source and to provide a few examples. Ask students if they can think of additional types of primary sources. If none are provided, give more examples. Explain how a primary source is different from a secondary source.
Load the lithograph onto an interactive smart board and have students make observations together. You must zoom into the lithograph to examine the details. If there is not a smart board, students can work in small groups at computers.
Also load the Analyze Artwork worksheet on the smart board or on computers so that you can lead students through answering the questions on the worksheet.
Information for the teacher: You and the students may notice slight irregularities in historic drawings and paintings. Sometimes drawings and paintings were made on location, sometimes the artists took notes and then they make their artwork in their studio from memory and their notes, in still other cases someone was sent to make observations and notes, and they then described to an artist what they saw, and the artist drew or painted a scene that they never saw themselves.
