Fine Art Appreciation
Ever just breezed past paintings in a gallery, after just giving them a half-hearted glance?
Here's how I helped encourage my children (and husband) to come to truly love visits to galleries and to learn a fragment about what fine art is about. Do check out the favourite books/website posts for recommendations.
One of the first things to decide is what the painting is about, usually, they will fall into certain genres; storytelling (narrative), landscapes, portraits, still life...etc
The composition makes you look at them in a certain way. Important figures may be larger or brighter or more centrally placed so you notice them first. Look at Vision of a Knight by Raphael.
Many paintings have hidden symbolism. This should, hopefully, catch the attention of the most bored child. Study Lorenzo and Isabella by Millais, and Venus and Mars by Botticelli, and The Marriage Settlement by Hogarth, the Awakening Conscience by WH Hunt.
It helps to know the motive of a painting - is it expressing an emotion or idea, or does it have a moral or social message or is it reflecting a moment in history? And When Did You Last See Your Father? William Frederick Yeames has very interesting characters to study.
The style and techniques have changed over the centuries. Artists' brushwork can be as distinguishable as handwriting. These are called movements - Baroque, Cubism, Abstract, Impressionism (pre and post), Renaissance.... [A. Pintura - is a great Art Detective online game]
Focus on one movement at a time, one artist at a time and your children will soon become familiar with fine art and will become surprisingly good at having a stab and guessing the artist.
Try studying the artist's life, era, country and turn it into a whole topical study. or notebooking pages.
Artist Notebooking Pages
Da Vinci for Kids
Da Vinci project
Art galleries have great online resources and trails.
Check out the books we love on the Book Page.
Have fun!
Who were the Pre-Raphaelites?
The Walker Art Gallery Collection
The National Gallery London
It helps to know the motive of a painting - is it expressing an emotion or idea, or does it have a moral or social message or is it reflecting a moment in history? And When Did You Last See Your Father? William Frederick Yeames has very interesting characters to study.
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| One of my children explaining to her friend what she sees is happening in 'And When Did You Last See Your Father?' |
The style and techniques have changed over the centuries. Artists' brushwork can be as distinguishable as handwriting. These are called movements - Baroque, Cubism, Abstract, Impressionism (pre and post), Renaissance.... [A. Pintura - is a great Art Detective online game]
Focus on one movement at a time, one artist at a time and your children will soon become familiar with fine art and will become surprisingly good at having a stab and guessing the artist.
Try studying the artist's life, era, country and turn it into a whole topical study. or notebooking pages.
Artist Notebooking Pages
Da Vinci for Kids
Da Vinci project
Art galleries have great online resources and trails.
Check out the books we love on the Book Page.
Have fun!
Who were the Pre-Raphaelites?
The Walker Art Gallery Collection
The National Gallery London
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