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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An American President in American Art

For Teachers 6th
Learners discuss the life and death of both Elaine De Kooning and the president she painted, John Kennedy. They learn how Kooning chose to describe President Kennedy through abstract expressionism and why her choice of color and shape...
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Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Elaine Fried De Kooning

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief, yet informative article on Elaine Fried de Kooning who was an artist, writer, critic, and educator. Although she primarily painted in the abstract expressionist form, she also painted a portrait of John F. Kennedy.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Eye Contact: Ornette Coleman

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief audio discussion of Elaine de Kooning's charcoal drawing of saxophonist, Ornette Coleman. Interesting comments by Wendy Wicks Reaves, curator at the National Portrait Gallery.