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do-ho suh

May 21, 2019 2 Comments

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.

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.

Principles of Design Examples Rhythm in Art

Rhythm in Art Examples

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.

alternating rhythm in art examples
  • 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.

random rhythm in art examples
  • 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.

flowing rhythm in art examples
  • 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.

regular rhythm in art examples
  • 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.

progressive rhythm in art examples
  • 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

  • Art Soup Video: Principles of Design: Rhythm
  • Horse in Motion & The First Moving Pictures
  • Early Photography Inspired Flipbook Project

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!

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.



The Art Curator for Kids -Example Artworks that Show Space - The Elements and Principles of Art Series-300The Art Curator for Kids - Example Artworks that Show Line - The Elements and Principles of Art - 300The Art Curator for Kids - Example Artworks that Show Emphasis - The Elements and Principles of Art SeriesElements and Principles of Art - Artworks that Show Proportion in art and ScaleThe Art Curator for Kids - Elements and Principles of Art Series - Artworks that Show Shape - 300The Art Curator for Kids - Why I Hate the Elements and Principles But Teach Them Anyway - 300The Art Curator for Kids - How Artists Depict Space - Masterpiece Monday - John Sloan , South Beach Bathers, 1907-1908, Art Lessons for Kids - Elements of Art Lessons

Filed Under: Elements and Principles of Art
Tagged With: Albert Renger-Patzsch, alexander calder, Alexandra Exter, Alice Aycock, andre derain, andy goldsworthy, andy warhol, Bernard Hoyes, Bridget Riley, Bruce Barnbaum, Charles Burchfield, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Chuck Close, do-ho suh, Donald Judd, edvard munch, ferdinand hodler, frank lloyd wright, george tooker, Gino Severini, Gloria Petyarre, grant wood, gustav klimt, Hans Hinterreiter, Hans Hokanson, henri matisse, Hilma af Klint, jackson pollock, jacob lawrence, Jasper Johns, joan miro, Louise Bourgeois, m.c. escher, marcel duchamp, marsden hartley, martin puryear, Mary Martin, paul klee, piet mondrian, rene magritte, Robert Delaunay, Sonia Delaunay, Victor Vasarely, vincent van gogh, wayne thiebaud

 

October 13, 2015 6 Comments

5 Artworks to Promote Introspection

The Art Curator for Kids - 5 Artworks to Promote Introspection - Journal Art.2
The Art Curator for Kids - 5 Artworks to Promote Introspection - Journal Art

Welcome back to my Art Round-Up series where I curate groups of paintings around themes for use in your home or classroom. Each post, I will pick 5 artworks that you could start discussing today with your kids. Today’s topic is artwork to promote introspection. These are great artworks to sit down with and use as inspiration to write in your journal.

Also, check out this post on how to look at art with kids for tips on discussion artworks.

Note about the images in this series: Because of copyright law, I cannot include pictures of all the works discussed. Instead, I have included low-quality thumbnails for reference and commentary. For full versions of those works protected under the law, please click the link or picture to find the image.

Recommended Age: All ages can do this in some form.

1. Shen Zhou, Poet on a Mountaintop, c. 1500

curated homeschool art Poet on a Mountaintop by Shen Zhou. c. 1500
Shen Zhou, Poet on a Mountaintop, c. 1500

This is a Chinese brush painting from the Ming dynasty. Artists in this style used only black ink and water as a way to focus on artistic expression in other ways. They used a variety of different types of expressive brushstrokes in a range of values (lights and darks) from white to black. You’ll notice the people are very small in comparison with the surroundings which connects with their Buddhist beliefs that humans are a small part of nature. They created exaggerated landscapes to reinforce this idea.

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Get the Full Lesson!

This Lesson is in The Curated Connections Library!

Find the full lesson from this post along with hundreds of other art teaching resources and trainings in the Curated Connections Library. Click here for more information about how to join or enter your email below for a free SPARKworks lesson from the membership!

Journal Prompts: Imagine you are in this place. What do you see, smell, and hear? What would it feel like to be in this place? How would it feel to step out of your day-to-day life and away from the conveniences and technology you use? How might you feel differently about the world after experiencing this place?

2. Pablo Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror, 1932

Pablo Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror, 1932 (click to see image larger)
Pablo Picasso, Girl Before a Mirror, 1932 (click to see image larger)

This is my probably favorite painting, although that is a hard choice (I love all my babies the same). This certainly is the artwork that has had the biggest impact on me. It made me weep for some reason and change the whole course of my life at that moment in time. Picasso believed his paintings should speak for themselves. I will tell you my own personal interpretation of this painting, but you are free to make your own. To me, this is a regular girl on the outside, nondescript.  She looks into the mirror and sees her inner self reflected in turmoil and pain.  It’s twisted and dark with hot orange tears.  The girl in the mirror is shy, but she has a story to tell.  She wants out, but is feeling pulled into herself.  The girl before the mirror is reaching towards the mirror to connect with and soothe the girl on the inside.  She wants to free the girl in the mirror and make her heard.

Journal Prompts: What does this girl see when she looks in the mirror? Is she hiding something from the outside world? If so, what is she hiding? What emotions do you experience in this artwork (either by you or the girl in the painting)? How do you personally relate to/connect with this picture? What do you see when you look in the mirror? How are you different when alone than when you are with others? What does this painting say about the world in which we live?


Check out these Girl Before a Mirror products. Please note, this post includes Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Pablo Picasso: Girl before a Mirror (One on One) – A book just about this painting alone
  • 16×20 Poster Print or 11×14 Framed Poster Print

3. Nude Woman (Venus of Willendorf), c. 28,000 B.C.E – 25,000 B.C.E.

curated homeschool art Willendorf-Venus-1468 photo credit don hitchcock
Nude Woman (Venus of Willendorf), c. 28,000 B.C.E – 25,000 B.C.E., Photo Credit: Don Hitchcock

Meet “Venus of Willendorf.” I’m sure you have seen her before. She was made by paleolithic people about 26,000 to 30,000 years ago. Stop a minute and think about how long ago that was. Yeah. Wow. We know very little about her because she was made before writing and before formal history. Her name was given to her much later; we have no reason to believe she is an actual goddess. We can make guesses though. We guess that she is in some way connected to fertility. Why do you reckon we think that? All of the parts of her that are related to childbirth are exaggerated while all of the other parts like feet, hands, and face are small and non-functional. She is only about 4.25 inches tall and is one of many of these types of sculptures found from this time period.

I think she is a good starting point for journaling to put your life and where you are in this moment in perspective. Thinking about the span of your life in the scale 30,000 years makes you more connected with all the people who have lived before you. You can also look at this and think about how drastically different our lives are today and imagine what it would be like to live in another time. Also, what will be left of your life when archaeologists look back on it in thousands of year?

Journal Prompts: What was your first reaction to this sculpture? Why do you think you had the reaction? This was created about 27,000 years ago. How does that make you feel? What does that call to mind? What will be left of your life when archaeologists look back on it in thousands of year? What will they know about you from what you leave behind?


Click here for a great YouTube video from the Khan Academy’s “Smarthistory” series about this sculpture.

4. Candy Chang, Before I Die, 2011+

Candy Chang, Before I Die, 2011
Candy Chang, Before I Die, 2011, (click to see larger)

In 2009, the Candy Chang lost someone very close to her suddenly, and it inspired her to think about life and what is most important to her. In response, she converted an old building in New Orleans to an interactive public art piece by making a big wall into a chalkboard with the phrase “Before I die…” written on it many times with blank lines following. Within days, the wall was filled with inspirational goals and aspirations by the people walking by. It became a place to reflect on goals and connect people together. Now, there are walls all over the world with the same message and a book about the experience.

It's about making space for reflection and contemplation and remembering what really matters most to us as we grow and change. -- Candy Chang, Artist
Journal Prompts: Before I die…


Click here for the artist’s incredibly moving TED Talk about this piece.

Buy the book (Before I Die *Amazon Affiliate link)!

5. Do-Ho Suh, Floor, 1997-2000

Do-Ho Suh, Floor
Do-Ho Suh, Floor, 1997-2000, (click to see larger)

If you were to happen upon this artwork at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, or at the 2001 Venice Biennale where I has the great pleasure of visiting,  you would see a glass floor with many colored dots underneath. As you get closer you notice that hundreds or little plastic action figures of everyday people hold up the weight of you and the glass floor. Walking on top of these people you might think about the power of community–how the individual is small but the collective is powerful. You might think about all the people who support you in your day to day life who go unseen–from the people across the world who make your clothes or the men and women who pick up your weekly trash.

Journal Prompts: How do you rely on other people in your life? What can you accomplish as a group than you couldn’t alone? How important is community in your life?

Here’s a video discussing this artwork. (Side note: Nerdfighters may recognize the person in this video!)

Also, Season 2, episode 1 of art:21 discusses the work of Do-Ho Suh (Here is a link to this episode).

Thanks for reading! Think about one of these artworks in relationship to your life. Please share a personal connection you had with the art in the comments!

This post was originally published on May 28, 2014.

Filed Under: Art and Artists, Downloads and Resources
Tagged With: candy chang, do-ho suh, pablo picasso, shen zhou

 

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