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franz marc

December 8, 2019 6 Comments

What Makes Art Good? A Lesson and Explanation of Art Theories

Art Theories-What Makes Art Good 700x1000

Inside: An explanation of four popular art theories and how each of them defines what makes a work of art good.

Art Theories-What Makes Art Good 700x1000

 

What makes an artwork good?

When it adheres to design principles?
If it looks true to life?
Should it turn our worldview upside down?
Must it fill us with emotions?

The issue of what makes an artwork good has probably been debated since the first splotch of pigment touched a cave wall.  It is nearly impossible to define what art is, so when we start discussing what makes an artwork impressive or worthy or good, we wade into complicated waters. Ask a group of students whether an individual artwork is good or not and you’re likely to get conflicting answers. Ask them what makes an artwork good or not and you’ll get as many answers as students you question.

Many art theories have emerged to encompass the wide variety of ideas and opinions about what art is and what it should do. The search for one art theory to rule them all may be futile, but there are arguments to be made on all sides, and everyone has a favorite.

Art Theory: Formalism

What Makes Art Good? A Lesson and Explanation of Art Theories
Wassily Kandinsky, Squares with Concentric Circles, 1913

 

Formalism dictates that art is good when it effectively uses the elements of art and principles of design. A formalist will concentrate solely on how an artwork looks–color, line, shape, and texture. The story being told and any historical or social context behind the artwork has no bearing on whether it is considered successful. The composition is all that matters. While artists have always used the elements and principles of art, formalism really came into being with modern art and the rise of abstract and expressionist works since those pieces put special emphasis on using line, shape, and color to create a pleasing composition.

Art Theory: Imitationalism / Mimetic

What Makes Art Good? A Lesson and Explanation of Art Theories
Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, 1658

 

The imitationalism or mimetic theory of art claims that artwork is best when it imitates life. We’ve all experienced seeing an artwork from a distance and mistaking it for the real thing, rather than a replica. Those pieces are prized under imitationalism. The most realistic, the better.

In Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, we see the creamy milk pouring from the jug. It’s easy to imagine the splashing sound it makes hitting the bottom of the container. The texture of the baskets and the woman’s clothing look real enough to reach out and touch. The play of light and shadows match what comes through our own windows. We don’t have to make any mental leaps to imagine the scene unfolding right in front of us. Mimetic artworks are instantly recognizable because of their devotion to reality.

Art Theory: Instrumentalism

What Makes Art Good? A Lesson and Explanation of Art Theories
John Heartfield, Have no fear–He’s a Vegetarian, 1936

 

An instrumentalist is not concerned with composition, only context. Through the lens of instrumentalism, the best artworks are those that convey a message or shape how we see the world. Unlike other art theories, instrumentalism says that art is good when it functions as a tool to influence or change society.

The artwork above no doubt drew a visceral reaction the moment you saw it. Did your eyes flick to the title? Were you trying to figure out what the artist was trying to say? Now imagine that you saw this artwork before World War II. As Hitler rose to power, many saw him as a harmless politician, though some knew otherwise. In this piece, Heartfield was using his art as an instrument, sounding an alarm for anyone who thought Hitler was nothing to fear.

Art Theory: Emotionalism

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

 

The emotionalism theory places emphasis on the expressive qualities of an artwork. The communication between artwork and viewer is crucial. If the art is able to elicit a feeling from the audience, then the artist has created an excellent piece. Emotionalism is unique among art theories because it is not concerned with how an observer is attracted. Varying components of an artwork can captivate different viewers, but it only matters that the artist was able to evoke a mood or idea, regardless of composition, context, or narrative.

Read more about Fate of the Animals on Art Class Curator.

Art Theories Lesson

To teach about art theories in a quick art and aesthetics lesson, I start out with a warm-up discussion question, what makes art an artwork good? I like this question because it gets students thinking more about what goes into the creation of a work of art and that art is more than just making something look pretty.

Then, I divide the students into groups and each group gets one of the above artworks with the following writing prompts:

  • Make a list of questions you might ask yourself about this art.
  • What makes this artwork good?

After they’ve explored their assigned artwork, we discuss their ideas to the class and I tell them about each of the art theories.

Curated Connections Library Members: Access the PowerPoint and Worksheet for this activity at this link. 

What do you think makes an artwork good?

This post was originally published on June 7, 2018.

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!

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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!

Filed Under: Art Connection Activities
Tagged With: best of art class curator, franz marc, johannes vermeer, john heartfield, wassily kandinsky

 

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

 

February 5, 2018 6 Comments

Beyond the Poker Table: 25 Dogs in Art

Beyond Dogs Playing Poker Dogs in Art-pin

Inside: There is more to dogs in art than just dogs playing poker! Check out 25 of these fetching examples of dogs in art.

Next week is Chinese New Year which starts the year of the dog! To celebrate the year of the dog and to honor the newest member to my family (meet my new buddy Vader Steve Ingram at the bottom of this post), I present to you 25 awesome dogs in art!

Beyond Dogs Playing Poker Dogs in Art-pin

Dogs Playing Poker

Growing up I had a print of Dogs Playing Poker in my room. I knew nothing about it, but I just thought it was awesome. For this post on dogs in art, I did a little research and learned more about what I originally thought was just one artwork. It turns out that Cassius Marcellus Coolidge painted 16 dog paintings with 9 of them being poker scenes. Others include dogs playing football, dogs having romantic dinners, and dogs in the courtroom. Check out 15 more things you should know about Dogs Playing Poker on Mental Floss.

These dogs in art would be a great conversation piece with your classes. Why are they not considered “fine art” or given a lot of critical acclaim in the art world? Why are the dogs playing poker seen as a joke in the artworks rather than as serious work?

Dogs in Art - Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, A Bold Bluff, 1903
Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, A Bold Bluff, 1903

Dogs in Art

Enjoy this collection of dog art. I hope you find one you connect with!

Dogs in Art - Keith Haring, Cruella De Vil, 1984
Keith Haring, Cruella De Vil, 1984

Dogs in Art - William Wegman, Blue Period with Banjo, 1980
William Wegman, Blue Period with Banjo, 1980

Dogs in Art - Edwin Henry Landseer, Laying Down the Law, 1840
Edwin Henry Landseer, Laying Down the Law, 1840

Dogs in Art - Francisco Goya, The Dog, circa 1819-1823
Francisco Goya, The Dog, circa 1819-1823

Dogs in Art - Franz Marc, Red Dog, 1911
Franz Marc, Red Dog, 1911

Dogs in Art - Frida Kahlo, Itzcuintli Dog with Me, 1938
Frida Kahlo, Itzcuintli Dog with Me, 1938

Dogs in Art - Giacomo Balla, Dynamism of a Dog in a Leash, 1912
Giacomo Balla, Dynamism of a Dog in a Leash, 1912

Dogs in Art - Jeff Koons Puppy, 1992
Jeff Koons, Puppy, 1992

Dogs in Art - Joan Miro, Figures and Dog in Front of the Sun, 1949
Joan Miro, Figures and Dog in Front of the Sun, 1949

Dogs in Art - Joshua Reynolds, Miss Bowles, 1775
Joshua Reynolds, Miss Bowles, 1775

Dogs in Art - Marisol Escobar, Women and Dog, 1964
Marisol Escobar, Women and Dog, 1964

Dogs in Art - Mary Cassatt, Little Girl in a Blue Armchair, 1878
Mary Cassatt, Little Girl in a Blue Armchair, 1878

Dogs in Art - Michael Sowa, Their Masters Voice
Michael Sowa, Their Masters Voice

Dogs in Art - Otto Dix, Hugo Erfurth with Dog, 1926
Otto Dix, Hugo Erfurth with Dog, 1926

Dogs in Art - Paul Gauguin, Still Life with Three Puppies, 1888
Paul Gauguin, Still Life with Three Puppies, 1888

Dogs in Art - Pompeii Italy, Beware of the Dog
Pompeii Italy, Beware of the Dog

Dogs in Art - Rufino Tamayo, Moon Dog, 1973
Rufino Tamayo, Moon Dog, 1973

Dogs in Art - Titian, Portrait of Charles V with a Dog, 1532
Titian, Portrait of Charles V with a Dog, 1532

Dogs in Art - Titian, Portrait of Clarissa Strozzi, 1542
Titian, Portrait of Clarissa Strozzi, 1542

Dogs in Art - Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Hata Rokurozaemon with His Dog, 1797
Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Hata Rokurozaemon with His Dog, 1797

Dogs in Art - Vittore Carpaccio, Two Venetian Ladies, 1490
Vittore Carpaccio, Two Venetian Ladies, 1490

Dogs in Art - William Hogarth, Painter and His Pug, 1745
William Hogarth, Painter and His Pug, 1745

Which was your favorite dog in art? Let me know in the comments!

As promised, here is a picture of my new doggie, Vader! He just fell into our laps last month, and we just couldn’t be happier with him!

 

Filed Under: Art and Artists
Tagged With: Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, Edwin Henry Landseer, francisco goya, franz marc, frida kahlo, giacomo balla, Jeff Koons, joan miro, Joshua Reynolds, keith haring, Marisol Escobar, mary cassatt, michael sowa, Otto Dix, paul gauguin, rufino tamayo, titian, utagawa kuniyoshi, Vittore Carpaccio, William Hogarth, william wegman

 

April 29, 2015 8 Comments

Artworks that Show Line

Inside: This is ultimate list of example artworks that show the different types of line in art for your elements and principles of art lessons. The list of types of line in art includes implied lines, diagonal lines, gesture lines, outlines, contour lines, expressive lines, and more!

I don’t know about you, but I often find myself needing to teach a lesson on one of the elements and principles of art, but it takes a bit of digging to find good examples of art that teach that particular element. To help those in that situation, I have created an elements and principles series that includes lists of example artworks you can use in your elements and principles of art lessons.

To start, I am going to focus on example artworks that use the different types of line in art.

I will add to this list of the types of line in art when I find more, so this is a good one to pin or bookmark! The horizontal picture collages do not have all the pictures from the categories, FYI.

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.

Examples of Types of Line in Art

The Art Curator for Kids - Example Artworks the Show Types of Line in Art - General

Artworks that Show Line, General

  • Richard Long, A Line Made by Walking, 1967
  • Richard Long, Cornish Slate Line, 1990
  • Frank Stella, Jarama II, 1982
  • Roy Lichtenstein, Brushstroke, 1965
  • Charles Sheeler, Classic Landscape, 1931
  • Joan Miró, The Farm, 1921–1922
  • Rembrandt van Rijn, Two Studies Of A Bird Of Paradise, 1630
  • John Singer Sargent, El Jaleo, 1882

The Art Curator for Kids - Example Artworks the Show Types of Line in Art - Horizontal and Vertical Lines in ArtHorizontal and Vertical Lines in Art

  • Stonehenge, ca. 2600-2000 B.C.E.
  • Ancient Greece, The Parthenon, 447-438 B.C.E.
  • Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater, 1936-7
  • Piet Mondrian, Composition in Red, Blue, and Yellow, 1937-42
  • Byzantine, Justinian and his Attendants, Basilica di San Vitale, 547 C.E

The Art Curator for Kids - Example Artworks the Show Types of Line in Art - Diagonal Lines in ArtDiagonal Lines in Artworks

  • Edgar Degas, Blue Dancers, c. 1899
  • Gustave Caillebotte, Le Pont de L’Europe, 1881-1882
  • Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Slaying Holofernes, 1614–20
  • Franz Marc, Fate of the Animals, 1913
  • Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, The Crucifixion of Saint Peter, 1600-1601
  • Francisco Goya, The Forge, c. 1817
  • Rembrandt van Rijn, Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, known as the ‘Night Watch’, 1642

The Art Curator for Kids - Example Artworks the Show Types of Line in Art - Contour Lines and OutlinesContour Lines and/or Outlines

  • Leonardo da Vinci, Self-Portrait, c. 1512
  • Paul Signac, Still Life with Pitcher, 1919
  • Carl Krull, Olmec Drawings and Scroll Drawings
  • Yoruba artist, Shrine Head, 12th-14th century
  • Andy Warhol, Red Lenin, 1987
  • Amedeo Modigliani, Jacques and Berthe Lipchitz, 1916

Gesture Lines examples artwork

Gesture Lines, Lines that Show Movement

  • Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing, 1767
  • Utagawa Hiroshige, The Whirlpools of Awa: Naruto Rapids, ca. 1853
  • Giacomo Balla, Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash (Leash in Motion), 1912
  • Natalia Goncharova, The Cyclist, 1913
  • Henri Matisse, Dance (I), 1909
  • Marino Marini, Miracle (Miracolo), 1952
  • Jacob Lawrence, Harriet Tubman Series, No. 4, 1939-40
  • Keith Haring, Untitled, 1985

Implied Lines artwork examples

Lines that Help Guide The Viewer’s Eye through the Picture and/or Implied Lines

  • Marc Chagall, I and the Village, 1911
  • Georges de La Tour, The Cheat with the Ace of Clubs, late 1620s
  • Frederic Remington, Dash for the Timber, 1889
  • Suzanne Caporael, Seeing Things: Rain, 1990
  • Fernando Botero, The Musicians, 1991
  • Grant Wood, Parson Weems’ Fable, 1939

expressive lines artwork examples

Lines that Show Feeling/Emotion, Expressive Lines

  • Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889
  • Mark Di Suvero, Are Years What? (for Marianne Moore), 1967
  • Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1984
  • Egon Schiele, Portrait of Paris von Gütersloh, 1918
  • Odilon Redon, Death: “My irony surpasses all others!”, 1889
  • Jackson Pollock, Lavender Mist No. 1, 1950

The Art Curator for Kids - Example Artworks the Show Line - Repetition and PatternRepetition of Line, Pattern Using Line, Decorative Line

  • Henri Matisse, Purple Robe and Anemones, 1937
  • Berenice Abbott, El, Second and Third Avenue Lines from the portfolio Retrospective, 1982
  • Aubrey Beardsley, The Peacock Skirt, 1893
  • Albrecht Dürer, The Rhinoceros, 1515
  • Benin, Memorial head, 1550-1650
  • Richard Anuszkiewicz, Deep Magenta Square, 1978

The Art Curator for Kids - Example Artworks the Show Line - Lines in ArchitectureLines in Architecture

  • Frank Lloyd Wright, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NYC
  • Frank O. Gehry, Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain
  • Stonehenge, ca. 2600-2000 B.C.E.
  • Ancient Greece, The Parthenon, 447-438 B.C.E.
  • Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater, 1936-1937

Lines in Sculpture artwork examples

Lines in Sculpture

  • Kenneth Snelson, Needle Tower, 1968
  • Songye, Mask (kifwebe), 19th century AD
  • Mark Di Suvero, Are Years What? (for Marianne Moore), 1967
  • Benin, Memorial head, 1550-1650
  • Yoruba artist, Shrine Head, 12th-14th century
  • Marino Marini, Miracle (Miracolo), 1952

Lines that Show Texture and/or Shading

  • Vincent van Gogh, Garden of Flowers, 1888
  • Rembrandt Van Rijn, The Three Crosses, 1653
  • Käthe Kollwitz, Self Portrait, 1921

Lines that Show Space and/or Linear Perspective

  • Gustave Caillebotte, The Floor Scrapers, 1875
  • Leonardo da Vinci, Last Supper, 1498
  • Pietro Perugino, Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, 1481–1482
  • Dorothea Lange, The Road West, 1938

Lines the Show Emphasis

  • Grant Wood, Parson Weems’ Fable, 1939
  • Francisco Goya, Third of May, 1808
  • Jonathan Borofsky, Walking to the Sky, 2004
  • Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1494-99
  • Richard Anuszkiewicz, Deep Magenta Square, 1978
  • Rembrandt van Rijn, Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq, known as the ‘Night Watch’, 1642
  • See more artworks that show emphasis.

Elements and Principles Teaching Bundle

This extraordinary bundle includes the best resources for teaching each of the elements and principles—37 worksheets/handouts, 15 lessons (with accompanying PowerPoints and Handouts), 3 ready-to-go art analysis activities, 3 art analysis videos, and 13 elements and principle PDF articles.

Buy Now


There you have it! The best types of line 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

Photo Credits:

  • Stonehenge, Diego Delso
  • Parthenon, Steve Swayne
  • Laocoön and His Sons, LivioAndronico
  • Needle Tower, Onderwijsgek

Filed Under: Elements and Principles of Art
Tagged With: albrecht dürer, amedeo modigliani, andy warhol, artemisia gentileschi, aubrey beardsley, basquiat, caravaggio, carl krull, charles sheeler, dorothea lange, edgar degas, egon schiele, emile nolde, fernando botero, francisco goya, frank gehry, frank lloyd wright, frank stella, franz marc, frederic remington, georges de la tour, giacomo balla, gian lorenzo bernini, grant wood, gustave caillebotte, henri matisse, jackson pollock, jacob lawrence, jean-honore fragonard, joan miro, john singer sargent, jonathan borofsky, kathe kollwitz, keith haring, kenneth snelson, leonardo da vinci, marc chagall, marino marini, mark di suvero, natalia goncharova, odilon redon, paul signac, piet mondrian, pietro perugino, rembrandt, richard long, roy lichtenstein, sandro botticelli, suzanne caporael, théodore géricault, utagawa hiroshige, vincent van gogh

 

April 21, 2015 6 Comments

Fate of the Animals by Franz Marc

The Art Curator for Kids - Art Spotlight - Discussion Questions, Learning Activities, Art Education, Franz Marc, Fate of the Animals

Today’s artwork is one that has really captured my attention over the last year–Franz Marc Fate of the Animals. I’m not sure why I never really noticed it before, but ever since I had to write a lesson on German Expressionism last year, I can’t get this one out of my head. This powerful and jarring artwork created just before World War I is perfect for art analysis, creative writing, and teaching history with art.

The Art Curator for Kids - Art Spotlight - Discussion Questions, Learning Activities, Art Education, Franz Marc, Fate of the Animals
Franz Marc, The Fate of the Animals, 1913
Franz Marc, Fate of the Animals, 1913

As always, use these tips for how to look at art with kids. Always let them look and think about it before you give them any information!

Recommended Age: I think you could discuss this with upper elementary and older, but the learning activities included are best for upper middle school and high school students.

Fate of the Animals Discussion Questions

  • What is going on in this painting? What do you see that makes you say that?
  • What animals do you see? What is happening to them?
  • What emotions do you feel when looking at this painting? What emotions do you think the artist was feeling?
  • Describe the lines and colors in this painting. How do the colors and lines contribute to the emotion?
  • How is the left side different from the right? Why do you think the artist did that? (Side note: I believe the dark brown on the left was from fire damage, but you can also discuss it as part of the meaning. You’re the boss.)
  • What is the story being told?
  • What do you think the artist was trying to say?
  • On the back of this painting, the artist wrote, “Und Alles Sein ist flammend Leid” (“And all being is flaming agony”). How does this quotation contribute to the meaning you understood from this painting?
What Makes Art Good? A Lesson and Explanation of Art Theories

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Fate of the Animals Free Resource

This free lesson plan includes a look at the elements and principles used in ‘Fate of the Animals’ plus essential questions for a classroom discussion of the artwork.

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Fate of the Animals Free Resource

This free lesson plan includes a look at the elements and principles used in ‘Fate of the Animals’ plus essential questions for a classroom discussion of the artwork.

Franz Marc Fate of the Animals Commentary

Fate of the Animals was painted just a year before the beginning of World War I. The jarring and intensely bright colors, the enormous size (77 x 105 inches), and the disturbing imagery of animals ripped apart and in pain mimic the uneasiness in Europe at this time. Although this painting was not created specifically about war, Franz Marc (the artist) himself wrote a letter from the war to his wife that said “[it] is like a premonition of this war—horrible and shattering. I can hardly conceive that I painted it.” To me, a figure in the top left seems to be the aggressor–perhaps a man or a machine–that destroys the trees and animals of the forest.

Whether it is about industrialization and the destruction of the forest or about the impending war, it is hard to separate Fate of the Animals from its sad story. The artist died fighting in the war and so did the art movement he helped found, Der Blaue Reiter. It is so sad that we will never know truly how Marc was impacted or what kind of art he would have made in response to his experience on the battlefield.

Curriculum Connections

History. Fate of the Animals is a great choice for studying World War I and the change from the peaceful and prosperous La Belle Époque to the devastation of The Great War. This painting allows you to connect with the emotions of war and how people felt during this time.

Learning Activities

1. Poetry. This painting is perfect for a poetry-writing exercise. It’s full of raw emotion and imagery which gives students a lot of opportunities to get creative with their writing. I have a post coming about poetry and art.

2. Composition Mapping / Formal Analysis. Fate of the Animals has a very strong use of diagonal lines which add to the energy and excitement of the picture. To help teach your students how to use lines to convey mood, have them trace the main directional lines of the painting on Fate of the Animals and another work with a lot of horizontal and vertical lines like The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. There are a few ways to do this. You can print the image and place a transparency over it. Trace the main directional lines and then remove the artwork to just look at the lines. You could do the same using PowerPoint or Photoshop as well. Or you could use this image I made below.

Comparison of Lines in The Last Supper by da Vinci and Fate of the Animals by Franz Marc
Comparison of Lines in The Last Supper by da Vinci and Fate of the Animals by Franz Marc

This page from the Getty Museum is a great site to get started with formal analysis in art.

3. Write a Letter. Read above about how Franz Marc wrote a letter about this painting to his wife from the battlefields. Have your student write a letter from the battlefields explaining war. Or, have the student write a letter to Franz Marc asking him questions about his painting.

Related Resources*

  • More Works by and Information about Franz Marc on the Artchive
  • Understanding Formal Analysis, by the J. Paul Getty Museum
  • Art Print of this Painting
  • The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse — Eric Carle book about this artist for the younger set.
  • Book about Franz Marc — These Taschen artist books are great. They are thin and inexpensive with big pictures. I don’t have this one, but I have several others.

What do you think of Fate of the Animals? Is there an artwork you love that you’d like for me to cover in this series? Let me know in the comments!

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This post was originally posted on April 28, 2014.

Filed Under: Art and Artists, Downloads and Resources
Tagged With: franz marc

 

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.

Please note, this post includes Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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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