The Arnolfini Trial

Ok seriously, this has been one of the most fun AND educational activities we've done! My students were incredibly engaged and interested about this historic painting. And the Trial method got them researching in ways that just wouldn't have happened by doing an essay or presentation.

So to begin we talk about symbols and symbolism in art. Then I introduce the students to the artist Jan Van Eyck and his painting The Arnolfini Portrait and all the different theories about what it means.

I divded my classes into 5 groups, one lucky group gets to be the jury. The other four groups were assigned to one of the theories about the meaning of this painting. Is it a portrait celebrating the pregnancy of the woman? Is it showing the marriage of the two people? is it a painting mourning the death of the woman? Or is it simple a double portrait of two wealthy people?

We spent a day doing research. Each group used their phones and tablets to collect evidence and build their case. They enjoyed finding all the little images that can help prove their theories correct and REALLY enjoyed finding things that can prove the other groups wrong.

Then the day comes for The Trial. I was so happy to hear how excited the students were for this trial. I had other teachers coming to ask what it was all about because the kids were looking forward to it so much.

So I gave the groups 5 minutes to prepare for their chance to prove to the jury that they are right. Once they were all ready I got my "gavel" (I don't have a gavel so a just tapped my broom stick on the floor lol!) and The Trial began. I sat the jury up front and each group presented their case. Some kids were, of course, timid and quiet. Others got really theactrical, pacing the floor, saying things like "I give you evidence A!" It was a blast watching them get really into it. Our Assistant Principal even came in and joined the jury!

After all four groups presented their case it was time for the jury to come to a conclusion. I did this with all six of my classes and I was pleased that they didn't all come to the same conclusion!

Wedding: 2 classes

Death: 1 class

Pregnancy: 2 classes

Portrait: 1 classes

We all had so much fun with this, kids have even told me they had so much fun learning about this painting. I plan on finding more ways to use this trial method to incorporate more art history into my classes.

7th Graders presenting their case to the jury

Jury members reviewing all the evidence

The jury figuring out which theory is right!