"Double Take" Series Presented By The Library Of Congress: Lecture #2

This is the second post of four where I review my notes and take-aways from the "Double Take" webinar series presented by The Library Of Congress on picture identification and exploration. The series was based on the PICTURE THIS blog from the LOC. Also, check out the notes from the first lecture in this series. 

Lecture Title:
Why Was this Picture Made?

Presented By: 

Sara Duke is curator of popular & applied graphic art in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress.

Notes:
When looking at a new picture ask:
    What type of picture is the item?
    What does it show?
    What is it about? 
    Who created? 
        Ask questions about this. 
            What might their motives be? 
            What are they trying to say with item?
Always look for context that can be gathered 
    From item itself 
    From prior knowledge 
        About the setting, creator, history, etc 
Understand context as you view
    Look for symbolism 
    Not everything included is going to be literal 

Summary:

The keys to analyzing pictures is to continue asking questions, and accessing as much information as you can from them. Using the item to give you as much information as you can is critical. Once you have tapped as much as you can from the item, access information from your own knowledge OR begin the process of researching what you have gathered from the picture. 

Photo Credit:

Robert Sayer And John Bennett , Publisher. The Bostonians in distress. London: Printed for R. Sayer and J. Bennett, Map & Printsellers, No. 53 Fleet Street, as the Act directs, Novr. 19. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2004673305/>.