Before class, arrange color copies of each painting around the room to create a gallery walk environment. If color copies are not available, post each painting on the Smart Board and allow students to approach the board in small groups to explore each painting. 

Students should "read" each painting three separate times, using a graphic organizer or other type of note-taking system to capture each of their readings:

First read: Review each painting and capture first impressions, being sure to identify the mood of each painting at this time.

Second read: Identify and reflect upon the paintings that employ a lot of small details to develop the painting and which ones rely more on fewer, larger elements to create the mood. For each painting, identify which elements of the painting seem to be dominant and consider how those dominant elements affect our understanding of the painting.

Third read: Examine the details. How does each artist use contrasts (for example, light vs. dark, small vs. large, foreground vs. background) to develop the artwork? What are the less prominent elements of each painting, what small details do you notice in these less prominent components and how do you think each less prominent component functions in the larger painting?

In between each read, have students share out their findings with a partner or small groups and add to their notes as they gain a new or deeper understanding of the paintings.

Conclude this portion of the activity by debriefing the whole class, paying particular attention to the process of close-reading. How did each "read" of the paintings deepen (or complicate) their understanding of the text? How did talking about their initial impressions with their classmates impact their understanding?