The National Gallery of Art
4th and Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20565
(202)842-6249 (Educational Tours)
Instructional Unit:
A study of works by Auguste Renoir and Mary Casset, specifically the following:
A Girl with a Watering Can, by Auguste Renoir, 1876.
Girl with a Hoop , by Augusta Renoir, 1885.
Little Girl in a Blue Armchair, by Mary Casset, 1878
Two Children at the Seashore, by Mary Casset, undated
Curriculum Unit:
Grade General
Art
Objectives:
1. The student will be able to identify the subject elements of a painting and represent the primary ideas in his/her sketch book.
2. The student will be able to perceive and verbalize the difference between the subjects viewed in the painting and themselves, (how they dress, what they are playing with) thus gaining an understanding of the differences in the time periods.
3. The student will be able to discuss works of art using:
a. Description - the student describes exactly what he/she sees, this includes the subjects in the painting, the materials used to make the painting.
b. Interpretation - the student describes the colors, lines, shapes, marks, most important element. The student identifies how he/she relates to the subject - is the subject looking at the viewer or is the viewer excluded?
c. Analysis - what information does this give you about the subject? What is happening in the painting? How does the subject feel? What is happening around the subject? Do you like the painting? Why?
Pre-Visit Activities:
1. Each child will design and create a cover for a blank sketch book. (approx. 4x6 - the teacher will have premade the books; on each of the first four pages the title of a painting and the artist to be seen on the field trip will be written).
2. The class will view an appropriate reproduction of a painting similar in subject to one that will be seen on the trip. (i. e. The artists garden at Vetheuil, by Claude Monet, 1880) The class will participate in a discussion of the painting, including description, interpretation, and analysis. The students will then have an opportunity to complete a page in their sketch book related to the painting.
On-Site Activities:
1. After viewing each of the four paintings described above, the student will make visual notes in his/her sketch book related to the painting. These notes could include words, symbols, or complete representation of the painting.
2. Additional time will be allowed to discover other paintings related to the theme "Children in Paintings." Additional time will be allotted for further work in sketchbooks.
3.Students will be given money to purchase a postcard to bring back for display in the classroom. Postcards should illustrate a child in a painting.
Follow-Up Activities:
1. The students will create a bulletin board displaying their postcards.
2. Class time will be spent bringing these paintings to life by using real people and props to create 3-D "reproductions".
3. A free standing life-sized wooden frame will be used.
4. The students will work in small groups of three to four, each group will choose a painting to reproduce.
5. The students will paint a mural background, create costumes, find or make props to complete the "picture".
Appendices:
None
Bibliography:
None
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