Point out the various objects that the artist has placed in the Mason children's hands and ask the students what these objects tell us about them. Note how these formal clothes differ from formal wear for children and adults today. Ask your students how often they dress up and for what occasions. Ask your students to think about what objects, clothing, background, etc. Ask them to imagine that this portrait will be seen by all of their family members and friends as well as people 100 years in the future.
Students can make a verbal or written list, or they can make a collage or drawing.
Have students realize that both lists represent parts of their lives. In the same way that we may not want to include unpleasant things in our formal portraits, people in the past did not want to include certain things in their portraits. When we look at older paintings in a museum, we generally see only the good side of life represented. To get a well-rounded picture of a place and time, we also have to read and study a variety of historical sources. The letter should be dated the same year as the portrait.