Marcel Duchamp L.H.O.O.Q, 1919.

L.H.O.O.Q. (1919). Marcel Duchamp

I have used this artwork by Marcel Duchamp in my lesson plan on appropriation and the postmodern frame.

Appropriation is to borrow an historical art work or images from popular culture and change its context to use for another purpose or in a new, interesting way.

This would have to be one of the most blatant appropriations. Duchamp borrows the image from Leonardo de Vinci’s Mona Lisa and draw on a moustache and beard. Many saw this as vandalism but Duchamp was putting in a new light by reducing its high art status and alluding to de Vinci’s sexual uncertainty.


In art it is important to use visuals. Showing this to image to students is an effective way of explaining appropriation and giving an example. It primarily supports the visual/spacial learners. This would be an intelligence a teacher needs to cater for in art, as most artistic people are visual/spacial learners. This image is a good cognitive tool as it allows students to use higher order thinking. This is skills such as analysis and evaluation (blooms taxonomy). Analysis allows students to compare and contrast the artwork with other artworks. Evaluation involves the students critique and justify the artwork.