School Tours: French and Spanish Language Tours
Grades 9–12
Logistical Information | Resources | Request this tour
Tours conducted in foreign languages by native speakers are intended for advanced high school language students. Owing to a small number of qualified docents, this tour has limited availability. If a foreign-language docent is not available for your requested time slot, the National Gallery can make an English language tour available as an alternative. Please check this option on your tour request form if you are interested. Please choose one of the following topics:
French Art
How did French art develop over three hundred years? This tour gives students a taste of French art, culture, and history by exploring a variety of themes, such as artistic styles, portraits of historical personalities, scenes from everyday life, and images of patronage and power.
This 60-minute tour takes place in the West Building; however, teachers may request the 90-minute version of this tour to include modern French art, such as works by Georges Braque and Henri Matisse. Please indicate which version of the tour you would like on the tour request form.
During four to six tour stops, students engage in activities–such as looking exercises and working in small groups–that foster conversations about works of art.
Spanish Art
How did Spanish artists respond to their artistic, cultural, and political surroundings? Students explore and compare the style, subject matter, and technique of artists ranging from El Greco to Picasso. Such influences as patronage, the role of the church, and politics are also presented.
During four to six tour stops, students engage in activities–such as looking exercises and working in small groups–that foster conversations about works of art.
Logistical Information for French and Spanish Language Tours
Group Size: Up to 30 students
Length: French Art, 60 or 90 minutes; Spanish Art, 90 minutes
Meeting Location: West Building, Rotunda, Main Floor
Museum policies
Student lunches
General information
How can I prepare my students for this tour?
What Gallery resources are available on this theme?
French Art:
- NGAClassroom: Picturing France
- NGALoanfinder: Inquiring Eye: Impressionism
- NGALoanfinder: Inquiring Eye: Post-Impressionism
- Online tours: French 17th Century
- Online tours: French 18th Century
- Online tours: French 19th Century
Renaissance Art:
- NGALoanfinder: Inquiring Eye: Renaissance Art
- NGAKids: Inside Scoop on Leonardo
- NGAKids: Inside Scoop on Castagno
Spanish Art:
- NGALoanfinder: Spanish Art
- Online Tours: Spanish Painting
What is object-based teaching and learning?