Art Gallery

Our classes have ended for the summer, but our last art class was one of my favorites!  Instead of a typical project, the children were guided to a "gallery" of famous art that they have studied throughout the year.  Not only was the featured work of art for each artist in the gallery, but another work was included as well.  The children were invited to identify the work of art, the artist, and to find the other work of art by the same artist.  What a challenge!  I was very impressed - even the kindergarten class did well!  The best part of it all was to listen to the children's comments on the art....


This class is listening to instructions for how to match the artist's work on the note cards they were given.  Part of the "art gallery" can be seen hanging behind the children.



Edgar Degas (1834-1917)

This quarter we discuss the French painter Edgar Degas.  Degas was acknowledged as the master of drawing the human figure in motion.

The Dance Class

He was part of the Impressionist group, however he differed from them in a few fundamental ways such as in his lack of interest in the study of natural lighting.  He preferred studio work and most of his scenes were of racecourses, theaters and dance halls, as opposed to landscapes.  He is well known for his ballet and horse paintings.

Racehorses

 

   In class the students learned the basics of sketching a ballerina and a horse and created a sketch (or two) of their own! Please have them share what they learned with you!  We hope they enjoyed the lesson!!



Degas Ballerina by Mary Anna, age 5

Degas Ballerina by Madeline, age 9

Degas Ballerina by Kolbe, age 8

Jean-Francois Millet "The Angelus"

Our next featured artist is Jean-Francois Millet.  The Angelus Prayer is printed at the end of this post.

Our featured work, "The Angelus"

The following links will help you get to know this great artist better:

Garden of Praise has background information, printables, and online activities for the kids.

This Art History Lesson asks kids to place "The Angelus" in its proper time period.

Older children and adults will enjoy this essay at Homeschooling Today discussing the time period and our feature artists Millet and Van Gogh and their relationship to God and each other.

Finished Angelus Project (5-year old artist)

The Angelus

V.  The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R.  And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.

Hail Mary, ...  

V.  Behold the handmaid of the Lord. 

R.  Be it done unto me according to Thy word. 

Hail Mary, ...  

(Genuflect)

V.  And the Word was made Flesh. 

R.  And dwelt among us. 

Hail Mary, ...  

V.  Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. 

R.  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.  

V.  Let Us Pray 

All:  Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.