Hidden in Plain Sight: Black Europeans in Art History
Explore overlooked portraits of Black Europeans in art. Each week, students analyze a hidden historical portrait, learn its story, and create their own artistic response. A hands-on class for history lovers, artists, and curious minds!
Ashley Downing, M.Ed.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(23)
What's included
24 live meetings
18 in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
Personal creative responses (students expressing their understanding through art or writing). Growing confidence in recognizing and interpreting historical figures in art.Certificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner Level
Hidden in Plain Sight: Black Europeans in Art – Introduction This ongoing weekly class explores the overlooked portraits of Black Europeans in art history. Each week, students will analyze a new historical portrait, uncover the subject’s story, and create an artistic response. Through guided discussions and creative activities, students will develop critical thinking, visual analysis, and art appreciation skills. Students can join or leave the class at any time, as each session is a self-contained exploration of a different portrait. The lessons follow the same engaging structure each week—analyzing a historical figure, uncovering their story, and creating an artistic response—so no prior knowledge is needed, and every class stands on its own. Weekly Class Structure- Each session follows a structured format to engage learners in observation, discussion, and creativity. Art Detective Challenge (10 minutes) Students examine a historical portrait and discuss clues in the artwork. What does their clothing, pose, or background tell us? What do they think their life was like? The Big Reveal (10 minutes) Learn about the person in the portrait, their background, and historical significance. Discuss why their story is often overlooked in textbooks. Artistic Response (15 minutes) Students create an artwork inspired by the portrait using the art medium of their choice (pencil, marker, crayon, colored pencil, paint, etc.) or creative writing. Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes) Students share their work and discuss what they learned. Weekly Topics Each week, the class will focus on a different European artwork that features a black figure as the central subject (not depicted in the background as servants, etc) ARTWORK CYCLE: Week 1: African Venus Week 2: Saint Maurice Week 3: Adolf Ludvig Gustav Albert Couschi, called Badin Week 4: Young Woman with Peonies Week 5: Joanna de Silva Week 6: Bashi-Bazouk Week 7: Portrait of a Black Woman with a Pearl Necklace Week 8: Isabella Week 9: Two African Men Week 10: African Woman Week 11: Free Woman of Color Week 12: Creole Woman in a Red Headdress Week 13: Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando Week 14: Sunday Morning Week 15: Still Life with Man Week 16: Portrait of an African man Week 17: The Dancing Lesson Week 18: Portrait of a Black Individual Week 19: Four Studies of a Male Head Week 20: Portrait of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo Week 21: Don Miguel de Castro, Emissary of Kongo Week 22: Portrait of a Woman in a Blue Turban Week 23: A Man Wearing a Turban and Armbur Week 24: Mrs. Nancy Lawson After 24 weeks, the cycle restarts. Learners can join anytime because lessons do not build on each other. You can hop in or out at anytime and jump back into the flow.
Learning Goals
Analyze historical portraits to uncover the identities and significance of Black European figures.Develop critical thinking skills by interpreting visual and historical clues in artworks.
Other Details
Learning Needs
This class supports diverse learners. It uses visual analysis, discussion, and hands-on art. Students can engage through drawing or storytelling, with flexible participation. A clear routine provides structure and comfort.
Pre-Requisites
There are no prerequisites for this class. No prior experience in art or art history is required—just curiosity and a willingness to explore. Students of all skill levels are welcome.
Supply List
Learners will need: Paper and pencil for taking notes or writing responses. Art supplies of their choice for their creative response. This can include: Sketchbook or drawing paper Pencils, pens, or markers Colored pencils or pastels Watercolors or paints Digital drawing tools (if preferred) Collage materials (optional) Students are encouraged to use whatever medium they feel most comfortable with to express their response to the artwork each week. No specific materials are required beyond basic writing or drawing supplies.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
This class uses primary source material from museum collections, including artwork from institutions such as the Louvre, the National Gallery, the Rijksmuseum, and other major European and American museums. We will reference images and historical context from The Image of the Black in Western Art series, a scholarly resource documenting the representation of Black figures in European art. Additional materials may include museum websites, exhibition catalogs, and academic articles that provide deeper insight into each week's featured portrait.
Joined April, 2020
5.0
23reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
With over a decade of experience as an art teacher, I am passionate about helping students see the diversity that has always existed in art history. In 2023, I was awarded a grant to study the history of Black figures in European art, spending a month traveling across six countries.
I collaborated with art historians, curators, textbook editors, gallery owners, and artists, and attended major conferences, including the Black Portraitures conference in Paris, where I explored the connections between historical and contemporary representation.
My approach isn’t about adding diversity—it’s about uncovering what has always been there but often left out of textbooks. Through firsthand research in museums and galleries and conversations with experts, I help students develop the skills to see art history in a fuller, more inclusive way.
My goal is to make art history engaging, accessible, and meaningful for all students.Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week, 24 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-12 learners per class
