This lesson aims at helping students understand the value of original art made by the hand of the artist. Distinguishing a forgery from genuine art involves knowing art history, being able to remember visual details, and learning how to analyze art. Young students are certainly capable of all three on an introductory level. The issue of authenticity and originality and fakes and forgeries also raises important questions about aesthetics and ethics that students should become aware of. Apply principles in preparation for making art in Lesson 2.
Preparation Tell students that they are going to become detectives for a day.
That has happened to many famous artists, and sometimes they are no longer alive to be able to tell anybody about it. He tried to stop the forgers, but couldn't manage it. Ask students what they might do in a similar situation. Authenticity is not an absolute but is rather a matter of degree. Judgments depend not only on contemporary definitions but also upon what was the acceptable practice of time, place, and culture.