Girl In Hyacinth Blue

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

The Netherlands is a European country bordering Belgium and Germany. It is made up of several low-lying regions including Holland. Referencing a map of The Netherlands, consider how geography may have shaped the history of this country since the early Renaissance. In particular, what were some of the notable historical events that this region experienced from the 14th century onwards? How might these historical events have impacted the Dutch people? Explain.

Teaching Suggestion: With this question, students have a chance to reflect on the ways that events in world history affected the internal history of smaller regions like The Netherlands. For example, The Netherlands was greatly affected by their occupation by Spain in the 17th century as well as the Nazi occupation during World War II. The narrative is told in reverse chronology, but the time period of focus starts in the 17th century during the Golden Age of Dutch Art and the expansion of the Dutch Empire colonies in Africa and Asia. As the narrative indicates the passage of time, the painting remains a unifying force of beauty and awe for subsequent generations. As students offer answer possibilities for the prompt, the class might build background knowledge through discussion or review of historical events that coincide with the novel’s timeline. Discussion also provides a chance to introduce the novel’s theme Discovering the Meaning of Life in Its Moments. These and similar resources may provide additional context.

• The Hague international Centre provides a succinct history of “History of the Netherlands.”
• History Guild focuses on the impact of “How War With Spain Created The Dutch Colonial Empire.”

Short Activity

In the art world, the term “Old Master” applies to a European artist who made a significant contribution to the field of painting in the centuries during and after the Renaissance. Working in small groups, select one of the Dutch Masters during the Dutch Golden Age of Art to research and share with the class. Investigate this artist’s background and select one of this person’s paintings to analyze. Prepare to share this information with the class:

• What was this artist’s background?
• On what types of themes and subjects did this person focus?
• Why is this person considered an “Old Master” in the art world?
• What is the reception of their work today?

As you share your findings with the class, be sure to include visuals and or other relevant media in your presentation.

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Activity provides an opportunity to introduce the theme The Power of Art while building knowledge in art history. While the Dutch Golden Age of Art lasted only several decades in the 17th century, the pieces produced during this time made a significant impact both on future Dutch artists and on the wider European art world. One group might research Vermeer (the artist in question in Girl in Hyacinth Blue) for their topic, or readers might cover Vermeer as a class after small group presentations.

• The Rijk Museum provides information on “Dutch Masters in 10 Achievements.”
• Essential Vermeer shares an overview of Dutch artists, including Johannes Vermeer, in “The Golden Age” and discusses political, economic, and social relations.

Differentiation Suggestion: For an approach that promotes additional discussion about topics or careers in art history, students might address the following questions: Select one of the paintings of your chosen artist and analyze its significance in society. Where is this painting now? Can the ownership of this painting be traced? If so, share how and chart its path of ownership.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

How do you define love? What different types of love can you list? How can the love of an object (something that cannot reciprocate an emotion) be explained?  

Teaching Suggestion: This question invites students to explore the theme The Different Facets of Love. Due to the potentially sensitive nature of the question, a private, individual response may be best. After students have a chance to journal, they might speculate about the ways in which love will be presented in the novel, making predictions regarding plot, symbolism, or tone. Each of the novel’s vignettes explores love in some way: parental, sibling, romantic, and patriotic. In this capacity, love takes many forms; the painting, however, usually reveals how sacrifice and the health of a relationship are connected.