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eugene delacroix

July 30, 2019 2 Comments

6 Juicy Artworks for the First Day of School

Art Discussion First Day of School

Inside: Six works of art with discussion questions and creative activities that make perfect first day of school art activities for art teachers of any grade.

Art Discussion First Day of School

August is coming…

I know.

Summer just started! You’ve barely had a chance to sunbathe or swim, and yet it’s almost time to attend in-service meetings, set up your classroom (or reorganize your cart for the thousandth time), and figure out how to make your favorite projects fit into the new lesson planning requirements (again).

There’s so much to do and the calendar is mocking you. Why, oh why, can’t you cram in a little weekend getaway? You just need a few days days to relax. Please?

Preparing for Back-to-School

Nevertheless, as you move through the stages of back-to-school grief, you remember all the things you love–the students you adore, the insightful comments and outstanding art, the silly jokes, your family of coworkers, the helpful volunteers, and those precious moments when you watch knowledge light up a student’s life.

The new school year will be exhilarating, exhausting, frustrating, and wonderful. And before you worry too much about what to do when you’re faced with class after class of familiar and brand new faces, let me help you out!

I won’t tell you how important it is to start the school year off strong, you already know. (And, if you’ve forgotten, I’m sure the many staff meetings you’re about to attend will remind you.) The school year is a marathon, not a sprint, and while getting off on the wrong foot won’t doom your year, it will make it harder to hit your stride. So, set the stage for stellar behavior with classroom management techniques, then show your students that art class is for more than making art–it’s for thinking critically about works of art and exploring the worlds both within and around them.

First Day of School Art Activities

Every year, I see frenzied Facebook discussions with art teachers trying to determine which project will not only get the kids hooked but also be feasible for the first day of school art activities. A lot of great ideas are thrown around, but I think there’s a easier way to get them excited.

Surprise your students by introducing them to a rich, fascinating work of art. A lot of teachers tell me that their biggest fear about incorporating more artworks and art history into their curriculum is the prospect of students being upset because they aren’t making their own art. That’s why the first day of school is such a great time to do this! When you set the expectation from the very first day***, your students won’t be confused, and they’ll know just how fun it can be! (***Or, the first week. Because goodness knows the attendance rolls will get mixed up, or you’ll have a dozen dress code infractions, and WHAT?! The bell is ringing already?!)

Let your students know:

Art class is more than just making art. We look at art and we talk about it together. We do this a lot.

And it. is. AWESOME.

Without further ado, here are six of my favorite artworks to share with students on the first day of school. Each one offers a lot for your classes to sink their teeth into and whet their appetite for the rest of the year! I’ve included links to blog posts that go into more depth for each piece and included some fun activities in case you’ve got enviable free time on the first day of school.

Also, check out my tips for an engaging classroom art discussion in this post.

The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo

first day of school art activities
Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939

I’ve used this as the first artwork of the school year before, and the students loved it!

Beyond Discussion

Have students write dialogue between the two Fridas. Then, pair them up to act out their scripts in front of the class!

Find discussion questions and more for The Two Fridas in this blog post.

Closed by Sorcery by Luis Felipe Noe

artworks for first day of school art class
Closed by Sorcery, Luis Felipe Noé, 1963

This artwork is perfect for older students. There are a lot of juicy details, deep emotions, and a bit of shock value to analyze and interpret.

Beyond Discussion

Instruct students to write a poem from the point of view of the person at the top of the artwork.

Find more activities and some discussion questions on this blog post about Closed by Sorcery.

Fate of the Animals by Franz Marc

What Makes Art Good? A Lesson and Explanation of Art Theories
Franz Marc, Fate of the Animals, 1913

This artwork is a stunning mixture of brilliant color and raw emotion. There are multiple points to discuss, everything from the elements and principles of art to the cool World War I context. It’s a great pick for students from 3rd grade on up to high school.

Beyond Discussion

Ask students to ponder the nature of the creature in the top right hand corner. Then, have them write a narrative about the man/machine.

Find more information and teaching resources for Fate of the Animals in this blog post.

Nkisi Nkondi Power Figures from the Kongo people

These powerhouse sculptures are fascinating to students of all ages. They’ll be intrigued imagining the possible functions of the figures.

Beyond Discussion

Students will enjoy getting out of their seats for a kinesthetic activity! Getting up and positioning themselves in the poses of the sculptures often opens their minds to new interpretive possibilities.

Learn more about the Nkisi Nkondi Power Figures, along with discussion questions and creative learning activities, on this blog post.

Parson Weems’ Fable by Grant Wood

Grant Wood, Parson Weems Fable - first day of school art activities
Parson Weems’ Fable, Grant Wood, 1939

Many years ago, I was a Gallery Teacher at the Amon Carter Museum where this painting resides. This one was so fun to explore with students—the lines that all point to mini-George Washington, the repetition of shapes, the role of the narrator, and the awesome dollar-bill style head on the child George’s body. Not to mention the myth and the story behind it!

Beyond Discussion

After pointing out some of the shapes and discussing the role of emphasis lines in art, have students draw the ones they see in this artwork.

Explore the elements and principles in Parson Weems Fable and find matching discussion questions in this blog post.

Selim and Zuleika by Eugène Delacroix

Selim and Zuleika, Eugène Delacroix, 1857

This artwork is perfect for an art interpretation discussion, because it has tons of narrative, excellent usage of the elements and principles of art that contribute to the meaning, and some great opportunities for detective work by the students.

Beyond Discussion

Group students and have them create a tableaux vivant of what they think happened before, during, and after this scene.

Find a free printable and a discussion video for Selim and Zuleika on this blog post.

Are you hyped yet? I hope so! Either way, let me know how it goes, especially if you share one of these breathtaking artworks with your students. If you have another work you love for first day of school art activities, I’d love to know about that too!

6 Juicy Artworks to Discuss on the First Day of School

This post was a part of The Art Ed Blogger’s Network: Monthly Tips and Inspiration from Art Teacher Blogs.

Participating Art Teacher Blogs:

  • Art Class Curator
  • Art Ed Guru
  • Art is Basic
  • Art Room Blog
  • Art with Mr. E
  • Arte a Scuola
  • Brava Art Press
  • Artful Artsy Amy
  • Capitol of Creativity
  • Create Art with ME
  • MiniMatisse
  • Mona Lisa Lives Here
  • Mr. Calvert’s Art Room Happenings
  • Mrs. Boudreaux’s Amazing Art Room
  • Mrs. T’s Art Room
  • Ms. Nasser’s Art Studio
  • Party in the Art Room
  • shine brite zamorano
  • Tales from the Traveling Art Teacher
  • There’s a Dragon in my Art Room

This post was originally published on July 10, 2018.

Filed Under: Art and Artists, Art Ed Blogger's Network
Tagged With: best of art class curator, eugene delacroix, franz marc, frida kahlo, grant wood, luis felipe noe

 

August 3, 2017 Leave a Comment

Warning: You’re about to fall in love with this Delacroix painting.

My first job out of college was a yearlong fellowship at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. It’s a gorgeous museum with a stunningly high-quality collection, and it was such a privilege to be able to work under that glorious Louis Kahn vaulted ceiling every day. While there, I fell in love with this small, unobtrusive artwork by Romantic artist, Eugène Delacroix.

Eugene Delacroix, Selim and Zuleika, 1857
Eugène Delacroix, Selim and Zuleika, 1857

I have come back to this lovely artwork again and again throughout my career. I’ve discussed this artwork dozens of times over the last 15 years, and I can’t believe I have never written about it on here before! It’s perfect for an art interpretation discussion, because it has tons of narrative, excellent usage of the elements of art and principles of design that help contribute to the meaning, and some great opportunities for fun detective work by the students.

Today, I did a Facebook Live video about this artwork and how I discuss it with my students. Check it out!

Click here to watch on YouTube if for some reason you can’t on Facebook or the meanies at your work have Facebook blocked like they do at mine.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook for more videos like this! I really enjoyed making it, so I hope to do more art interpretation discussions in the weeks to come.

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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!

Mentioned on the Art Class Curator Podcast…

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Filed Under: Art and Artists, Downloads and Resources
Tagged With: eugene delacroix

 

March 28, 2016 6 Comments

How to Compare and Contrast Art to Teach Art History

Inside: Use these techniques artwork examples to compare and contrast art in your classroom. Art comparison help students see the art in a new way and make the conventions of an art movement more clear and understandable.

If I had to pick my favorite teaching method for art history, it probably would be compare and contrast art. When you place two artworks next to each other, new ways of understanding the art can open up!

Compare and Contrast art

There are multiple ways to compare and contrast art:

  • comparing works of art from the same art movement or period to look for commonalities and shared themes,
  • comparing two depictions of the same subject,
  • comparing works of art from one period with works from the period that came before,
  • and probably many more!

Using Compare and Contrast to Teach Art History

In this post, I focus on comparing works from one period with art from the period that comes before. I love this method because, in addition to reviewing prior knowledge, you teach students to discover the conventions of the art movement or period on their own.

It’s easy to tell students that the conventions of Baroque art are contrasted between light and dark, intimate compositions, use of contemporary everyday models, foreshortening, etc, but they won’t remember it unless they find those things for themselves. When you put a Baroque artwork next to a Renaissance artwork, those conventions become immediately clear.

Use the following artwork pairs to have students better understand and connect with the conventions and themes of the art periods.

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!

Join the List

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!

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Renaissance/Baroque

In my Italian Baroque lesson (which you can download as a member of The Curated Connections Library), I have 4 sets of images that I print and have students compare and contrast art in small groups. My favorite set is Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper and Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus.

Side by side-The Last Supper and Supper at Emmaus, art comparisons
At left: Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus, 1601; At right: Leonardo Da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1495

Lead a discussion on these artworks being sure to note the differences in the lighting, the people, the setting/background, the positions of the people, the lines, and the colors.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Ancient Rome/Byzantine

After Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, art took a drastic turn from the focus on man to the focus on God. I love to compare this Roman mosaic with the mosaic of Justinian and his attendant.

Justinian and two athletes mosaics, how to compare and contrast art paintings
At left: Mosaic, Church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, Justinian and his Retinue (noblemen, patrons, attendants), 6th Century C.E. At right: Floor mosaic from Baths of Caracalla , Vatican Museums, Rome, Two athletes, c.200-500 C.E.

The differences in subject matter are clear. The Roman artwork glorifies the strength and the body of a man while the Byzantine artwork no longer shows the men with realistic proportions in art. Students will note the differences in body proportions, the use of color and pattern, and the Byzantine complexity vs. the Roman simplicity.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Romanesque/Gothic

Romanesque is kind of a weird art period to teach. It is so varied and transitional. Putting a Romanesque building next to a Gothic really trains students to look closely at details and notice the glory and impressive engineering of a Gothic Cathedral!

Gothic architecture comparing artworks
At left: Abbey of la Madaleine, Vézelay, Photo Credit: Delta 51; At right: Cathedral at Reims, Photo Credit: bodoklecksel

Check out this past post on teaching Gothic architecture for more information about this side-by-side.

Resource Library Subscribers: Download the Gothic PowerPoint.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Neoclassical/Romantic

The honor and stoicism of Neoclassical art is a great contrast to the emotional turmoil of Romanticism. Compare David’s Oath of the Horatii with Delacroix’s Lady Liberty Leading the People.

compare and contrast art history
At left: Eugene Delacroix, Liberty Leading the People, 1830; At right: Jacques-Louis David, The Oath of the Horatii, 1784

Patriotism and nationalism are key themes in both of these art movements, but this manifested in their art in incredibly different ways. This art comparison works really well too with a poetry writing exercise. Have students write haikus about the paintings, and then compare the language used in each.

Compare and Contrast Art Examples: Impressionism/Post-Impressionism

I find Post-Impressionism a little harder to teach than other art movements. It’s mainly just a collection of artists in this strange transition period between Impressionism and Modern Art. It’s Impressionism but it’s not. It’s Fauvism but it’s not.

compare and contrast art
At left: Claude Monet, Wheatstacks (End of Summer), 1890-91; At right: Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889

Putting a Van Gogh next to a Monet works as an art comparison because you can really notice the addition of emotion. I describe Post-Impressionism to my students as Impressionism+Emotion+Bolder, Unrealistic Colors.

Classroom Connection


The compare and contrast art activity from the bundle of free art appreciation worksheets is a great way to get students thinking.

What other artworks do you like to compare and contrast with your students? Please share in the comments!

Filed Under: Art Connection Activities, Art Teacher Tips, Featured
Tagged With: best of art class curator, caravaggio, claude monet, eugene delacroix, jacques-louis david, leonardo da vinci, vincent van gogh

 

January 18, 2016 8 Comments

Character Analysis Art Activity: Twitter Perspectives

The Art Curator for Kids - Character Analysis Art Activity - Twitter Perspectives
The Art Curator for Kids - Character Analysis Art Activity - Twitter Perspectives

One great way to analyze and interpret a work of art is to do character analysis–looking at visual clues to understand the motives, actions, thoughts, and feelings of the characters in the artwork.

In my Art Appreciation Printable Worksheet Bundle that you can get for free by signing up for my e-mail list, there is an activity I created called “Twitter Perspectives” that focuses on this way of interpreting art. (You can also find more character analysis activities in the art worksheets 25 pack for $12).

Free Worksheets!

Art Appreciation Worksheets

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Download

Free Worksheets!

Art Appreciation Worksheets

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Art Activity Instructions: Study the characters in the artwork. Think about what the character thinks and feels. Then, write tweets from the perspective of the characters in the work. Create a twitter username that fits your perspective of the character.

Get this worksheet and more to explore art in the free Art Appreciation Worksheet bundle by clicking the button below.

Here are some artwork suggestions to use with this worksheet:

How did it go? Please share one of your tweets about these artworks in the comments or tag me on twitter!

This post was originally posted on July 14, 2014.

Filed Under: Downloads and Resources
Tagged With: bartolome esteban murillo, best of art class curator, edouard manet, eugene delacroix, georges de la tour, gian lorenzo bernini

 

September 13, 2015 7 Comments

Exploring Narrative in Art

the Art Curator for Kids - Exploring Narrative in Art-700x1000
the Art Curator for Kids - Exploring Narrative in Art

One of the best ways for a student to connect with art is through narrative or story. Really, it’s not just appropriate for just students–we all connect through narrative. Narrative is how all of us see the world and how we connect with each other. We put together stories in our heads for situations in our lives. We try to fill in the blanks. And when we first see a work of art for the first time, we often go straight to narrative (if the strong emotions in the work don’t grab us first!).

The benefits of including narrative writing in your curriculum are many: from emotional expression to social and cultural awareness and understanding to developing creativity. Hearing others’ stories and telling your own story are powerful.

Art is a natural fit for narrative because much art tells a story, but that story is up for interpretation from the viewer. The story and the art itself changes depending on who is looking at it. The artist leaves us clues and descriptors and emotions, and we are left to put the pieces together. It is exciting and creative and challenging.

I say it is challenging, but really our kids don’t find it as daunting as we do as adults. They are primed for story creating, and all we need to do is help guide them through the process. The rest of this post gives you a step by step guide to exploring narrative through art.

Analyze the Painting: Visual Thinking Strategies

This human focus on the narrative is what led Abigail Housen and Philip Yenawine to develop Visual Thinking Strategies (or VTS). I’ve briefly mentioned them before on the blog here. VTS was created in response to Housen’s stage theory of Aesthetic Development (source). Don’t click away; I won’t bore you with the details, but she discovered that there are five stages of how people interact with artwork. In the first stage or Accountive stage, viewers of art focus on narrative.

Accountive viewers are storytellers. Using their senses, memories, and personal associations, they make concrete observations about a work of art that are woven into a narrative. Here, judgments are based on what is known and what is liked. Emotions color viewers’ comments, as they seem to enter the work of art and become part of its unfolding narrative. (source)

vts image

So, what is VTS?
With VTS, you use three questions only: “What’s going on in this picture?”, “What do you see that makes you say that?”, and “What more can you find?” That’s it! You basically just keep poking and prodding the student for more information and connecting his or her ideas together. Starting with that key question, “What’s going on?” will spark a lot of ideas and stories in the student. The question hints at narrative but doesn’t limit the student’s response. I was really skeptical of this strategy when we discussed it in grad school, but honestly, I find it to be a very effective way of talking about art with students.

Develop the Story

While I think VTS is useful and works very well, sometimes you want to go deeper into the interpretation of the work. Remember, this is YOUR or your student’s story. Don’t look up the “right answer.” Your interpretation is just as correct as whatever you might find to read about the work.

  1. The first step of interpreting narrative in art is fully exploring the painting–taking an inventory of all of the things, emotions, places, actions, and people present in the work. The artist makes a lot of choices that impact the story, so make sure you and your student have discovered and analyzed these choices fully.
  2. Next, you can work together or alone through writing to figure out what happened before the moment depicted in the painting. Figure out the motives and personalities of the characters. What were they doing in painting, and what did they do to get to that point? What were they reacting to? Why were they feeling those emotions? Create a back story.
  3. After developing the back story and present story, create what will happen next. Back up ideas that you have with clues from the painting, but feel free to get creative.
  4. Outline the story and flesh out the details. Study parts of a story to make sure you have all the elements of a good narrative and to connect with your language arts curriculum.

Document the Story and Create

Once you have figured out your story, take it further with one or more of these activities.

  1. Draw, paint, or storyboard the story. Create new paintings of moments in the story before or after the painting in question. Or, create a storyboard with all of the key points illustrated as if preparing for an animated movie on a notecard or a template printed from online.
  2. Write it out. Depending on the age and ability of the student, write out the story. You could have the student write a short story or a screenplay. If your student is unable to write yet, take a video of him or her telling the story out loud or write it down for her.
  3. Act it out. Have students work with other students to put on a play or make a video. Make costumes and props, develop the script, and practice the emotions.
  4. Create a tableau vivant. If you have multiple students, create a series of tableaux vivants, or living pictures. Have them create the story using their bodies with props if you’d like. This is basically like a freeze-frame. You could have them do one point of the story as a freeze-frame which morphs into another freeze frame for the middle of the story which then morphs into the end of the story. Snap pictures of each tableau to document the learning experience. It may sound like a silly activity, but the students I have done this with always get a good laugh out of it and it helps them make a deeper connection with the artwork.

Your Turn!

Let’s try it out. Take a close look at this artwork.

Jacques-Louis David, The Death of Socrates, 1787
Jacques-Louis David, The Death of Socrates, 1787

Develop the story based on clues from the painting, and tell me your story in the comments. 🙂

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!

Join the List

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!

This article was originally published on June 18, 2014.

Filed Under: Art and Artists, Downloads and Resources
Tagged With: bartolome esteban murillo, best of art class curator, caravaggio, eugene delacroix, gian lorenzo bernini, jacques-louis david

 

June 8, 2015 6 Comments

25 Views of Fathers in Art

The Art Curator for Kids - 25 Views of Fathers in Art History - Happy Father's Day!

The Art Curator for Kids - 25 Views of Fathers in Art History - Happy Father's Day!In honor of Father’s Day coming up, I’ve selected 25 artworks that show fathers in art. Enjoy!

Click on the image to view it larger.

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Dorothea Lange, Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California, Grandfather and grandson of Japanese ancestry, 1942
Dorothea Lange, Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California, Grandfather and grandson of Japanese ancestry, 1942

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Gerard Sekoto,The Proud Father, Manakedi Naky on Bernard Sekoto's Knee, 1947
Gerard Sekoto, The Proud Father, Manakedi Naky on Bernard Sekoto’s Knee, 1947

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Agnes Lawrence Pelton, Awakening (Memory of Father), 1943
Agnes Lawrence Pelton, Awakening (Memory of Father), 1943

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Cbabi Bayoc, 365 Days with Dad, 2012
Cbabi Bayoc, 365 Days with Dad, 2012

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Utagawa Kunisada, Father and Son Members of the Forty Seven Rônin from Chûshingura
Utagawa Kunisada, Father and Son Members of the Forty Seven Rônin from Chûshingura

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Honoré Daumier, The Kiss, c. 1845-48
Honoré Daumier, The Kiss, c. 1845-48

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Arnold Genthe, A Holiday Visit, 1895–1908
Arnold Genthe, A Holiday Visit, 1895–1908

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Lucian Freud, Daughter and Father, 2002
Lucian Freud, Daughter and Father, 2002

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Winslow Homer, Dad's Coming, 1873
Winslow Homer, Dad’s Coming!, 1873

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Edgar Degas, Degas' Father Listening to Lorenzo Pagans, 1869
Edgar Degas, Degas’ Father Listening to Lorenzo Pagans, 1869

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Barthel Bruyn the Elder, Portrait of a Man with Three Sons, 1530
Barthel Bruyn the Elder, Portrait of a Man with Three Sons, 1530

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - New Kingdom, Ancient Egypt, Statue of two men and a boy that served as a domestic icon, ca. 1353–1336 B.C.E.
New Kingdom, Ancient Egypt, Statue of two men and a boy that served as a domestic icon, ca. 1353–1336 B.C.E.

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Henry Mosler, Just Moved, 1870
Henry Mosler, Just Moved, 1870

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Michelangelo, The Creation of Adam, 1512
Michelangelo, The Creation of Adam, 1512

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Thankful Poor, 1894
Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Thankful Poor, 1894

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Raphael Soyer, The Artist's Parents, 1932
Raphael Soyer, The Artist’s Parents, 1932

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Walker Evans, Floyd and Lucille Burroughs on Porch, Hale County, Alabama, 1936
Walker Evans, Floyd and Lucille Burroughs on Porch, Hale County, Alabama, 1936

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Sherrie Levine, After Walker Evans: 2, 1981
Sherrie Levine, After Walker Evans: 2, 1981

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Domenico Ghirlandaio, Francesco Sassetti (1421–1490) and His Son Teodoro, ca. 1488
Domenico Ghirlandaio, Francesco Sassetti (1421–1490) and His Son Teodoro, ca. 1488

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Eugène Delacroix, The Natchez, 1835
Eugène Delacroix, The Natchez, 1835

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Corneille, Father and Sons, 1951
Corneille, Father and Sons, 1951

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Vincent van Gogh, First Steps, after Millet, 1890
Vincent van Gogh, First Steps, after Millet, 1890

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Rembrandt van Rijn, The Return of the Prodigal Son, c. 1662
Rembrandt van Rijn, The Return of the Prodigal Son, c. 1662

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Miriam Schapiro, Father and Daughter, 1997
Miriam Schapiro, Father and Daughter, 1997

The Art Curator for Kids - Fathers in Art History - Theodor Severin Kittelsen, My Son Tred Always Follow Father's Footsteps, 1894
Theodor Severin Kittelsen, My Son Tred Always Follow Father’s Footsteps, 1894

I came upon some great links while finding art for this post. Check these links out as well for more fathers in art history. Please note, this post includes Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Dorothea Lange’s Migrant Fathers
  • Fatherhood Connection, Met Museum
  • The Art Of Fatherhood: The Best Representations Of Fathers In Art
  • Cbabi Bayoc, 365 Days with Dad Calendar

Which one was your favorite artwork from the list? Let me know in the comments!

Filed Under: Art and Artists
Tagged With: agnes lawrence pelton, arnold genthe, barthel bruyn the elder, cbabi bayoc, corneille, domenico ghirlandaio, dorothea lange, edgar degas, eugene delacroix, gerard sekoto, henry mosler, henry ossawa tanner, honore daumier, lucian freud, michelangelo, miriam schapiro, raphael soyer, rembrandt, sherrie levine, theodor severin kittelsen, utagawa kunisada, vincent van gogh, walker evans, winslow homer

 

January 6, 2015 19 Comments

A Year of Art Appreciation for Kids: 52 Artworks your Child Should Know

I have compiled for you a massive list of artworks for you to look at with your kids this year. I picked one artwork for each week of the year, and I tried to pick the best of the best. If you haven’t been showing art to your kids, this is a great list to start with! Just sit down and talk about a new artwork each week for a few minutes.

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How to Talk about Art with Your Kids

Here are some posts from Art Class Curator for tips at looking at art with your kids.

  • How to Look at Art with your Children
  • How to Look at Art with Toddlers and Preschoolers
  • Charlotte Mason Picture Study: An Easy Way to Introduce Art to your Kids

Art Appreciation for Kids

Instead of dividing by week, I divided by time period. Regrettably, this list does not include non-western art or contemporary art. For more awesome non-western art, check out my Art Around the World series. Each entry below includes a link to find the picture.

the Art Curator for Kids - Art Appreciation for Kids - Ancient to Classical Art

Ancient to Classical Art

  • Prehistoric, Nude Woman (Venus of Willendorf), c. 28,000-25,000 B.C.E (On ACFK, 5 Artworks to Promote Introspection) (Buy replica on Amazon)
  • Sumer, the Standard of Ur, about 2600-2400 B.C.E. (Book about this artwork)
  • The Law Code of Hammurabi, King of Babylon, c. 1750 B.C.E (Book about Hammurabi’s Code)
  • Ancient Egyptian, Palette of King Narmer, c. 3000-2920 B.C.E.
  • Myron (Ancient Greek), Discus-thrower (Discobolus), Roman copy of a bronze original of the 5th century BC (Book about this artwork)
  • Hellenistic Greek, Laocoön and His Sons, early first century C.E.
  • Ancient Roman, Augustus of Primaporta, first century, C.E.
  • Ancient Roman, The Alexander Mosaic, ca. 100 BC (Poster of this artwork)

the Art Curator for Kids - Art Appreciation for Kids - Medieval to Renaissance Art

Medieval and Renaissance Art

  • Byzantine, Justinian and his Attendants, Basilica di San Vitale, 547 C.E
  • Gothic, Chartres Cathedral (Book about Chartres)
  • Jan and Hubert van Eyk, Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (Ghent Altarpiece), 1432 (Book about the Nazi theft of this artwork)
  • Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus, 1482-85 (Poster of this artwork)
  • Leonardo da Vinci, Last Supper, 1498 (Print of this artwork on wood)
  • Michelangelo Buonarroti, Sistene Chapel Ceiling, 1508-12 (Jigsaw puzzle of this artwork)
  • Raphael, School of Athens, 1509-11 (Coffee mug of this artwork)
  • Michelangelo Buonarroti, Slaves or Prisoners, ca. 1520-23



the Art Curator for Kids - Art Appreciation for Kids - 17th-18th Century Art

17th-18th Century Art

  • Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Beheading Holofernes, 1614-20 (On ACFK, Masterpiece Monday) (Novel about the Artist)
  • Gianlorenzo Bernini, Apollo and Daphne, 1622-25 (Replica of this sculpture)
  • Judith Leyster, Self-Portrait, c. 1630
  • Rembrandt, Officers and Men of the Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq and Lieutenant Wilhelm van Ruytenburgh, known as the Night Watch, 1642 (Canvas print of this artwork)
  • Diego Velázquez, Las Meninas, 1656 (On ACFK, 20 Great Artworks to Look at with Young Kids) (Poster of this artwork)
  • Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing, 1767 (Poster of this artwork)
  • Jacques-Louis David, Oath of the Horatii, 1785 (Poster of this artwork)

the Art Curator for Kids - Art Appreciation for Kids - 19th Century Art

19th-Century Art

  • Francisco Goya, Third of May, 1808 (Mouse pad of this artwork)
  • Eugène Delacroix, July 28: Liberty Leading the People, 1830 (Poster of this artwork)
  • William Turner, Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On), 1840 (Poster of this artwork)
  • Claude Monet, Les Nymphéas (The Water Lilies), 1840-1926 (Monet magnets)
  • Jean-François Millet, L’Angélus, c. 1857-1859
  • Georges Seurat, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, 1884 (Coffee mug of this artwork)
  • Auguste Rodin, The Burghers of Calais, 1884-95 (Coffee mug of this artwork)
  • Paul Gauguin, Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?, 1897-98
  • Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889 (On ACFK, 5 Exciting Art History Projects for Kids that Made me Say “WOW!”) (Umbrella of this artwork)

the Art Curator for Kids - Art Appreciation for Kids - Modern Art

Modern and Contemporary Art

  • Henri Matisse, Harmony in Red/La Desserte, 1908 (Jigsaw puzzle of this artwork)
  • Edvard Munch, The Scream, 1910 (Inflatable Scream Doll)
  • Franz Marc, Fate of the Animals, 1913 (On ACFK, Art Spotlight: Franz Marc’s Fate of the Animals)
  • Marc Chagall, I and the Village, 1911 (On ACFK, 5 Artworks Your Children will Love) (Poster of this artwork)
  • Wassily Kandinsky, Panel for Edwin R. Campbell No. 4, 1914
  • Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory, 1931 (Melting clock)
  • Pablo Picasso, Guernica, 1937 (Jigsaw puzzle of this artwork)
  • Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939 (On ACFK, 5 Artworks to Intrigue Your High Schooler) (Poster of this artwork)
  • Jackson Pollock, One: Number 31, 1950, 1950 (Book about this artwork)
  • Francis Bacon, Study after Velazquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X, 1953 (On ACFK, Art Around the World in 30 Days – Ireland)
  • Andy Warhol, Campbell’s Soup Cans, 1962 (Converse shoes of this artwork)
  • Robert Rauschenberg, Skyway, 1964
  • Andy Goldsworthy, Fall Leaves (On ACFK, 5 Exciting Art History Projects for Kids that Made me Say “WOW!”) (Book about this artist)

the Art Curator for Kids - Art Appreciation for Kids - American

American Art

  • John Singleton Copley, Watson and the Shark, 1778  (On ACFK: Charlotte Mason Picture Study: John Singleton Copley)
  • Thomas Moran, The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, 1872 (Jigsaw puzzle of this artwork)
  • John Singer Sargent, El Jaleo, 1882 (Poster of this artwork)
  • Frederic Remington, A Dash for the Timber, 1889 (Poster of this artwork)
  • Grant Wood, American Gothic, 1930 (Children’s book about this artist)
  • Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series, 1940-41 (Children’s book about this series)
  • Edward Hopper, Nighthawks, 1942 (Poster of this artwork)

Whew! This is quite a list. It was hard to choose, and I know I left out some great artworks. Keep reading on Art Class Curator to learn more about teaching art to kids.

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Filed Under: Art Connection Activities
Tagged With: andy goldsworthy, andy warhol, artemisia gentileschi, auguste rodin, claude monet, diego velazquez, edvard munch, edward hopper, eugene delacroix, francis bacon, francisco goya, franz marc, frederic remington, frida kahlo, georges seurat, gian lorenzo bernini, grant wood, henri matisse, jackson pollock, jacob lawrence, jacques-louis david, jan van eyck, jean-francois millet, jean-honore fragonard, john singer sargent, john singleton copley, judith leyster, leonardo da vinci, marc chagall, michelangelo, pablo picasso, paul gauguin, raphael, rembrandt, robert rauschenberg, salvador dali, sandro botticelli, thomas moran, vincent van gogh, wassily kandinsky, william turner

 

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