Using and Interpreting Visual Images as Historical Documents

Adapted in part from an article by Perlmutter, "Visual Historical Methods."

Mr. Schwartz

Visual historical analysis and interpretation: 1) search for and identify primary historical meanings; 2) explain the historical significance of the meanings

Primary historical meanings: meanings associated with the image by those who created it; and when possible, by those who viewed it and wrote about it during the time period under study.

Questions of interest:

· What role did the image play in the lives of those who created it, or who paid for, displayed, and used it?.

· How did an image maker chose to frame, compose, and populate a visual field? How did the chosen composition represent a solution to a problem in a particular (historical) situation?

Step One. Identify the image: author, title, and date.

Where possible, collect background information on 1) the production of the image—for whom it was created and where it appeared; and 2) the author.

Step Two. Check criteria for inclusion or use in your project:

· Does the image come from the period you are studying? [If it does not, it should not be included or its inclusion has to be justified on historical grounds.]

· Does the image establish, complement, or enhance the point you are trying to make?

Step Three. Study the image and search for historical meanings:

Objects of study and categories of meanings:
Content	Objects displayed
	Location in space
	Location in time
	Narrative function

Function of image	Private or public?
	Illustrate or document?

Expressive aim	Emotions represented
	Emotions meant to be evoked

Figurative meaning	Explicit or implicit associations
	Explicit or implicit suggestions

Rhetorical-moral meaning	Political lesson
	Moral lesson

Societal or Period meaning	Issues, matters, ideas, conflicts, circumstances of the period that are revealed or suggested

Comparative meaning	Objects juxtaposed to bring out similarities or differences in attributes

Variables for Analysis

Context	Physical: location and setting
	Verbal: captions, etc.
	Situational: issues, circumstances,

Content	attributes of objects displayed: size, presence of absence, juxtaposition

Form	degree of dominance in frame
	arrangement of object in frame

Narration

Step Four. Report you interpretation:

Main point concerning the image’s historical meaning
Pertinent elements of the image that establish that meaning
Connections with ideas, topics, or sources in your project

Step Five. Compose a caption for the image, normally at the bottom of the image:

· Author, title, and date

· If your interpretation is not spelled out in the accompanying text, then compose a capsule interpretation within the caption.