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ferdinand hodler

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

 

December 14, 2015 Leave a Comment

10 Surprising Artworks from the Met Museum

The Art Curator for Kids - 10 Surprising Artworks from the Met Museum

Hello! I’ve just come back from New York City where I spent a few glorious hours at the Met Museum. I of course specifically sought out several of my favorite artworks. It’s like visiting old friends. I just had to take a selfie with my Death of Socrates. I love that painting!

Can you tell how exhausted I am in this shot? I'd been walking the streets of NYC for 8 hours at this point!
Can you tell how exhausted I am in this shot? I’d been walking the streets of NYC for 8 hours at this point!

But, there were several artworks that took me by surprise. These were artworks that I have either never seen before and really loved or artworks that I had seen before, but they never interested me. That’s why we need to see art in person! It is different and surprising and always wonderful.

The Art Curator for Kids - 10 Surprising Artworks from the Met Museum

Indian Map

Indian, Fortified City of Ranthambhor, ca. 1810-18, Met Museum
Indian, Fortified City of Ranthambhor, ca. 1810-18, Met Museum

This digital image does not capture how neat this artwork really was. I loved this map of the palaces of Rajasthan. I felt like I needed to sit it in front of me and study it for a while to unpack all it has to offer. I especially loved the little monkeys and ducks in the margins. Delightful! Learn more about this artwork.

Tang Dynasty Figures

China, Tang Dynasty Figures, 7th Century, Met Museum
China, Tang Dynasty Figures, 7th Century, Met Museum

These small, earthenware sculptures are filled with such character and expression!

China, Standing Attendant, 7th Century, Met Museum
China, Standing Attendant, 7th Century, Met Museum

Japanese Screen Painting

Maruyama Ōkyo, Goose and Reeds, 1774, Met Museum
Maruyama Ōkyo, Goose and Reeds, 1774, Met Museum

To be honest, I generally don’t find Japanese screens to by all that exciting. This one with its extreme simplicity struck me. The delicate touch with the mountains draws attention to the gracefulness of the bird. Loved it. Learn more about this artwork.

Dream of the Shepherd

Ferdinand Hodler, The Dream of the Shepherd, 1896, Met Museum
Ferdinand Hodler, The Dream of the Shepherd, 1896, Met Museum

I was struck by the emotion of this was too. The label calls it “haunting,” and I agree. Something about it made me want to look and think. I think this one will be good to discuss with students in future courses. Learn more about this artwork.

Trompe l’Oeil

Ilia Efimovich Repin, Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin, 1884, Met Museum
Ilia Efimovich Repin, Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin, 1884, Met Museum

I turned the corner into this room, and this painting totally freaked me out. It was insanely realistic. It looked like that guy was in the room with me. It is interesting because the setting was done in a more painterly way, but the man was so crisp and clear looking right at me. Learn more about this artwork.

Not Boring at All

Pascal-Adolphe-Jean Dagnan-Bouveret, The Pardon in Brittany, 1886, Met Museum
Pascal-Adolphe-Jean Dagnan-Bouveret, The Pardon in Brittany, 1886, Met Museum

I’ve seen this painting before and until last week at the Met, I would have put it in my “Extremely Boring Artwork” list. I was so surprised to find it to be rather stunning in person. I don’t know if it was the asymmetricality, the range of values. the crisp clean lines, or the contrast of the stern people with the flowy lady on the ground, but it was a delight to see in person. Learn more about this artwork.

I Guess Manet isn’t Overrated

Édouard Manet, George Moore, 1879, Met Museum
Édouard Manet, George Moore, 1879, Met Museum

So apparently the theme for this post is “Art I thought I didn’t like, but maybe I need to give it a second chance.” Other than the masterpiece Luncheon on the Grass, I’ve never found Manet to be incredibly exciting, but I was surprised at how struck I was with these pastel sketch portraits. Manet did these in one sitting, and he managed to capture such life in them. Learn more about this artwork.

Édouard Manet, Mademoiselle Lucie Delabigne (1859–1910), Called Valtesse de la Bigne, 1879, Met Museum
Édouard Manet, Mademoiselle Lucie Delabigne (1859–1910), Called Valtesse de la Bigne, 1879, Met Museum

Why are we not all talking about this one?!

Thomas Hart Benton, America Today, 1930-31
Thomas Hart Benton, America Today, 1930-31

Holy smokes, this was amazing. It was an entire room of a Thomas Hart Benton artwork called America Today. The colors, the molding, and all of the many stories being told in this one were incredible. I had to meet a friend who was about to get off work, and I was really sad to leave this artwork. I wish I could have spent an hour in that room alone! You need to see this one! Learn more about this artwork.

Sweet, Fauve Love

William Zorach, Spring in Central Park, 1914, Met Museum
William Zorach, Spring in Central Park, 1914, Met Museum

This painting is so sweet and lovely and colorful. This is Adam and Eve in Central Park before the Fall of Man. Learn more about this artwork.

Serious Clown

Walt Kuhn, Clown with a Black Wig, 1930
Walt Kuhn, Clown with a Black Wig, 1930

This one just cracked me up. This super serious portrait of a clown is totally unexpected. The label text says the artist often creates”penetrating, sometimes even unnerving portraits of circus performers.” That describes this painting exactly. Weird and cool, and I want to see more from this artist! He’s pretty much my new favorite artist. Learn more about this artwork.

What’s the most surprising artwork you have seen? Let me know in the comments!

Filed Under: Art and Artists
Tagged With: bouveret, edouard manet, ferdinand hodler, ilia efimovich repin, thomas hart benton, walt kuhn, william zorach

 

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