Ekphrasis: A Poetry Project

Ekphrasis is a term that describes poems that take works of art as their subject matter. If you're planning a trip to an art museum in the near future, make it a writing opportunity too.

Before heading to the museum, spend some time reading ekphrasis poems. For example, have a look at these:

• "The Great Figure" by William Carlos Williams
• "Before the Mirror" by John Updike
• "Musee des Beaux Arts" by W.H. Auden

Consider how the authors of these poems transfer the images in the paintings into words. Ask yourself which words best capture the visual experience of the painting.

When you visit the museum, choose a painting and use it as the inspiration for a poem. Spend at least five minutes studying the painting and getting a feel for its mood, its texture, its composition and use of color. Then, draft your poem. Most museums will permit the use of pencils in galleries, but it is a good idea to check first.

Landscapes, portraits, still life and paintings depicting some kind of dramatic action tend to work best.

If the museum gift shop sells a postcard version of your painting, pick one up, take it home and refer to it as you hone and revise your poem.

This is a great activity for emphasizing word choice, precision and sensory detail as students strive to make a visual image come alive in words.