“Visual Historical Methods”
Adapted from an article by David D. Perlmutter. "Visual Historical Methods: Problems, Prospects, Applications." Historical Methods, 27(4) 1994: 167-184
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:
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Content |
Objects displayed |
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Location in space |
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Location in time |
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Narrative function |
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Function of image |
Private or public? |
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Illustrate or document? |
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Expressive aim |
Emotions represented |
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Emotions meant to be evoked |
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Figurative meaning |
Explicit or implicit associations |
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Explicit or implicit suggestions |
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Rhetorical-moral meaning |
Political lesson |
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Moral lesson |
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Societal or Period meaning |
Issues, matters, ideas, conflicts, circumstances of the period that are revealed or suggested |
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Comparative meaning |
Objects juxtaposed to bring out similarities or differences in attributes |
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Variables for Analysis
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Context |
Physical: location and setting |
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Verbal: captions, etc. |
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Situational: issues, circumstances, |
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Content |
attributes of objects displayed: size, presence of absence, juxtaposition |
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Form |
degree of dominance in frame |
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arrangement of object in frame |
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Narration |
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Step Four. Report you interpretation
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Main point concerning the image’s historical meaning |
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Pertinent elements of the image that establish that meaning |
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Connections with ideas, topics, or sources in your project |
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· Author, title, and date
· If your interpretation is not spelled out in the accompanying text, then compose a capsule interpretation within the caption.