Our Study of Art
Sep 24th, 2007 by lvbirders
Our study of art tends to be a very simple affair. Since I am not an art major/expert we try to do things in a practical, very basic manner. Joshua and I study a different artist each term. We learn about their life and a few of their paintings. We may read a fiction book based on the artist. For example, while studying Jan Vermeer, he read Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet and loved it so much he bought and read her next book, The Wright 3. We sometimes follow Ambleside Online’s selections and at other times we veer off on our own path. This term we are on such a path of our own.
The museum at Bellagio on the Las Vegas strip is currently showing the exhibit, In the Master’s Hands: Picasso’s Ceramics. We will be going to view this exhibit soon. The opportunities that we have to view actual works by renowned artists never fails to amaze me. A few years ago, we were blessed to view one of Monet’s Japanese Bridge paintings at an exhibit at the same museum in the Bellagio. As part of our study this term, we have been reading about Picasso’s life and his ceramics, especially trying to concentrate on pieces that are a part of the exhibit.
The other day we took a little detour when I came across this article on the upcoming auction of a Van Gogh painting. While searching to find out which painting it was discussing, I came across this article. I set a picture of the painting as a background on our computer (a practice I do with each artist we study. We have also recently had pictures of Picasso’s ceramics on the background). I shared both of the articles with Joshua and then other members of our family as they commented on the painting I had on our computer background.
At times we will try to paint in the style of the artist we are studying but this isn’t something I require. I really just want Joshua to be exposed to some of the Fine Arts. When we went to the exhibit that featured the Monet painting of the Japanese Bridge, Joshua stood there in front of that painting mesmerized. The painting had been his favorite when we had studied Monet one term and there he was actually standing in front of it. The look on his face was my goal in our study of art.
Wow! I love your art studies. And I would have loved to have been there to see Monet’s Japanese Bridge. Alas … my kids don’t share my love of impressionism.
Hi Steph,
No problem with the impressionists..now…Picasso, he’s another story. Josh does not appreciate his style at all and is really just “humoring” his mom with the study of this artist.
Thank you for sharing this very inspiring post. It sounds like you have wonderful art studies! I WAS an art major in college, and once upon a time an artist, but lately our artist (and art history) studies have been sorely lacking, though my daughter,s insatiable appetite for drawing, painting and DOING art keeps us immersed in that much at least.
Nathan’s favorite artist studied so far is Durer. He just pores over the book of his works that we have.
Maybe Josh would find it interesting to look at some of Picasso’s earlier, realistic works. I have a print of a beautiful drawing he did of a mother and child that I just LOVE. I prefer his realistic work to his later cubist style. ;)
http://www.globalgallery.com/enlarge/024-31946/