Rhythm in Art: The Ultimate List of Rhythm in Art Examples

Inside: The ultimate collection of rhythm in art examples, including everything from regular to random, plus a rhythm in art definition. A continuation of our Elements and Principles of Art series.

Here are some artworks you can use to teach rhythm in art for your elements and principles of design rhythm lessons. I will add to this list when I find more, so this is a good one to pin or bookmark! The horizontal images do not contain all of the examples.

Download the Free Elements and Principles Printable Pack

This pack of printables was designed to work in a variety of ways in your classroom when teaching the elements and principles of art. You can print and hang in your classroom as posters/anchor charts or you can cut each element and principle of art in its own individual card to use as a lesson manipulative.

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Rhythm Art Definition

Rhythm is a principle of design that suggests movement or action. Rhythm is usually achieved through repetition of lines, shapes, colors, and more. It creates a visual tempo in artworks and provides a path for the viewer’s eye to follow.

Rhythm in Art Examples

Jacob Lawrence, Parade, 1960
André Derain, Charing Cross Bridge, 1906
Marcel Duchamp, Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2), 1912
Gino Severini, Dynamic Hieroglyphic of the Bal Tabarin, 1912
Marsden Hartley, Indian Composition, 1914-15
George Tooker, The Subway, 1950
Martin Puryear, Ladder for Booker T. Washington, 1996
Grant Wood, American Gothic, 1930
Alexandra Exter, The Boat and the Town, 1925
Louise Bourgeois, The Blind Leading the Blind, c. 1947-49
Albert Renger-Patzsch, Beech Forest in Fall, 1936

Alternating Rhythm

Alternating rhythm describes an artwork that contains a repetition of two or more components that are used interchangeably. Some alternating rhythm examples include alternating light and dark colors or placing various shapes and/or colors in a repeating pattern.

Henri Matisse, Red Room, 1908
M.C. Escher, Lizard, 1942
George Tooker, Government Bureau, 1956
Frank Lloyd Wright, Interior, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Robert Delaunay, Endless Rhythm, 1934
Andy Warhol, Untitled from Marilyn Monroe, 1967 (9 Screen prints)
Hans Hinterreiter, ME 25 B, 1935
Bernard Hoyes, Sweeping Ribbons

Random Rhythm

Random rhythm describes an artwork that contains repeating elements without a specified order or arrangement. Some random rhythm examples include splatters of paint or shells on a beach.

Piet Mondrian, Broadway Boogie Woogie, 1942-3
René Magritte, Golconde, 1953
Alexander Calder, International Mobile, 1949
Bridget Riley, Recollection, 1986
Mary Martin, Compound Rhythms with Blue, 1966
Alice Aycock, A Little Cosmic Rhythm, 2007
Chuck Close, Self Portrait, 2007
Joan Miro, Rhythmix Characters, 1934
Jackson Pollock, Autumn Rhythm (Number 30), 1950

Flowing Rhythm

Flowing rhythm describes an artwork that contains curved or circular elements that give the art movement. Some flowing rhythm examples include flowers, clouds, or waves.

Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889 (See: The Starry Night story and lesson)
Gloria Petyarre, Bush Medicine Dreaming, 2008
Edvard Munch, The Scream, 1893 (See: The Frieze of Life, Lesson & Project, Visual Analysis Lesson)
Henri Matisse, The Dance, 1910
Hans Hokanson, Helixikos Number 3, 1968
Sonia Delaunay, Electric Prisms, 1914
Hokusai, The Great Wave, 1829-32
Gustav Klimt, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, 1907
Bruce Barnbaum, Dance of the Corn Lilies, 1991
Bruce Barnbaum, Moonrise over Cliffs and Dunes,1992
Gustav Klimt, Fish Blood, 1897-8

Regular Rhythm

Regular rhythm describes an artwork that contains repeating elements with a specified order or arrangement that can be measured. Some regular rhythm examples include evenly spaced windows or tiles.

Donald Judd, Untitled, 1969/1982
Christo and Jeanne-Claude, The Gates, 2005
Do-Ho Suh, Floor, 1997-2000
Wayne Thiebaud, Banana Splits, 1964
Wayne Thiebaud, Nine Jellied Apples, 1963
Grant Wood, Fall Plowing, 1931
Andy Warhol, Twenty-Five Colored Marilyns, 1962
Ferdinand Hodler, Rhythmic landscape on Lake Geneva, 1908
Marimekko, Hevoskastanja, 2005
Paul Klee, Pastoral (Rhythms), 1927

Progressive Rhythm

Progressive rhythm describes an artwork that contains repeating elements in a pattern that change either in size or color as they repeat. Some progressive rhythm examples include building blocks arranged from smallest to largest and spirals.

Victor Vasarely, Alom, 1966
Marcel Duchamp, Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2), 1912
Sydney Opera House
Hilma af Klint, Altarpiece No. 1, Group X, 1915
Jasper Johns, Three Flags, 1958
MC Escher, Smaller and Smaller, 1956
Wayne Thiebaud, Banana Splits, 1964
Grant Wood, Fall Plowing, 1931
Andy Goldsworthy, Carefully broken pebbles scratched white with another stone, 1985
Bramante Staircase in the Vatican, 1932

In this fun rhythm in art examples video, the differences between pattern, repetition, and rhythm are described and put to music:

Rhythm in Art Resources

Remember I will add to this, so don’t forget to pin this post!

Do you have a great example to teach rhythm in art? Share it with me in the comments, and I will add it to the list!

Elements and Principles of Art Worksheet

The more artworks your students analyze, the more familiar they’ll be with the elements and principles of art and the easier it will be for them to implement what they learn in their own art. Use our free Art Appreciation Worksheet Bundle for go-to lessons that will take their learning to a deeper level.

This bundle includes elements and principles of art worksheets:

There you have it! The best rhythm in art examples for your elements and principles of art lessons. Want more elements and principles of art teacher resources? Check out the below posts.