The below art is a continuation of the Famous Art Appreciation pages. These pages, unlike the first set, contain artwork that might be considered objectionable or distasteful. Parental discretion is advised!
Banner Art by GeekySica
Poster
Younger:
1) What do you think is happening in this painting?
2) It looks like the woman is wearing a lot of fabric - what effect might that have on her ability to float?
3) Looking carefully at the painting (a larger copy would be helpful), can you find the bird?
Middle:
1) The artist used a model, a woman who spent months posing in a bathtub full of water. How do you think having that model impacted this painting?
2) How did the artist make Ophelia's dress appear expensive? How did he make it appear heavy?
3) The vegetation was all painted first, and then the woman added later. Why might an artist choose to do this?
Older:
1) Read the Shakespeare scene depicted (found here in both the original as well as with a modern translation). Describe how this artwork reflects and compliments the words.
2) Many of the plants depicted have symbolic meaning. Research the symbolism behind: violet, pansy, willow, nettle, daisy, poppy, and forget-me-not.
3) What expression is on the woman's face? Do you think this painting is supposed to represent her while she was living or dead? Why do you say that?
Younger:
1) What do you think is happening in this painting?
2) It looks like the woman is wearing a lot of fabric - what effect might that have on her ability to float?
3) Looking carefully at the painting (a larger copy would be helpful), can you find the bird?
Middle:
1) The artist used a model, a woman who spent months posing in a bathtub full of water. How do you think having that model impacted this painting?
2) How did the artist make Ophelia's dress appear expensive? How did he make it appear heavy?
3) The vegetation was all painted first, and then the woman added later. Why might an artist choose to do this?
Older:
1) Read the Shakespeare scene depicted (found here in both the original as well as with a modern translation). Describe how this artwork reflects and compliments the words.
2) Many of the plants depicted have symbolic meaning. Research the symbolism behind: violet, pansy, willow, nettle, daisy, poppy, and forget-me-not.
3) What expression is on the woman's face? Do you think this painting is supposed to represent her while she was living or dead? Why do you say that?
Poster
Younger:
1) What is the man doing?
2) Try to position yourself in the same pose as this man.
3) Do you see place where the statue is missing a finger?
Middle:
1) The head of the statue is not positioned as it originally was. The figure was created with the head turned to be looking at the disc, but after the head was knocked off, it was restored in the position seen here. Do you think this history makes the figure more interesting?
2) This statue is more advanced than the rigid, stiff postures found from earlier times. Why do you think it's more difficult to make a statue 'feel' like it is in the middle of moving?
3) A statue of a human can be very top-heavy or easily unbalanced. What did the artist do to make sure this statue was stable? What other methods could someone use when making statues of humans?
Older:
1) The position of the man is considered 'unnatural' by modern discus throwers. Why do you think the artist positioned his sculpture this way?
2) What areas of this statue does it appear that the artists spent the most time perfecting? Why do you think this is?
3) What reasons could there be for the artist to have chosen to use a nude human form for this artwork?
Younger:
1) What is the man doing?
2) Try to position yourself in the same pose as this man.
3) Do you see place where the statue is missing a finger?
Middle:
1) The head of the statue is not positioned as it originally was. The figure was created with the head turned to be looking at the disc, but after the head was knocked off, it was restored in the position seen here. Do you think this history makes the figure more interesting?
2) This statue is more advanced than the rigid, stiff postures found from earlier times. Why do you think it's more difficult to make a statue 'feel' like it is in the middle of moving?
3) A statue of a human can be very top-heavy or easily unbalanced. What did the artist do to make sure this statue was stable? What other methods could someone use when making statues of humans?
Older:
1) The position of the man is considered 'unnatural' by modern discus throwers. Why do you think the artist positioned his sculpture this way?
2) What areas of this statue does it appear that the artists spent the most time perfecting? Why do you think this is?
3) What reasons could there be for the artist to have chosen to use a nude human form for this artwork?
Poster
Younger:
1) Is there one person or two in this drawing?
2) Describe the man's hair and face.
3) What are some indications that the paper is old?
Middle:
1) Why do you think that the feet are drawn such that the right and left are not identical?
2) What is the purpose of the circle and square in this drawing?
3) The artist used 'cubits', 'palms' and 'fingers' for measurements instead of things like inches or meters. How might working with different standards make a difference in the outcome of a drawing - any drawing?
Older:
1) This drawing is a reflection of ideal proportions, with the figure being 'eight heads high' and the palm of a hand 'four fingers wide', etc. How would having such a precise mathematical ideals like this be helpful for artists?
2) Leonardo da Vinci believed that the 'workings of the human body could be an analogy to the workings of the universe'. If that is the case, what does this drawing tell you about the universe?
3) This figure is drawn with distinct muscular definition. How does understanding and replicating a figure's muscles enhance a drawing beyond simply making a person 'more life-like'?
Younger:
1) Is there one person or two in this drawing?
2) Describe the man's hair and face.
3) What are some indications that the paper is old?
Middle:
1) Why do you think that the feet are drawn such that the right and left are not identical?
2) What is the purpose of the circle and square in this drawing?
3) The artist used 'cubits', 'palms' and 'fingers' for measurements instead of things like inches or meters. How might working with different standards make a difference in the outcome of a drawing - any drawing?
Older:
1) This drawing is a reflection of ideal proportions, with the figure being 'eight heads high' and the palm of a hand 'four fingers wide', etc. How would having such a precise mathematical ideals like this be helpful for artists?
2) Leonardo da Vinci believed that the 'workings of the human body could be an analogy to the workings of the universe'. If that is the case, what does this drawing tell you about the universe?
3) This figure is drawn with distinct muscular definition. How does understanding and replicating a figure's muscles enhance a drawing beyond simply making a person 'more life-like'?
Poster
Younger:
1) What does this woman appear to be missing?
2)
3)
Middle:
1) Point out all the areas where this statue has been damaged.
2)
3)
Older:
1)
2)
3)
Younger:
1) What does this woman appear to be missing?
2)
3)
Middle:
1) Point out all the areas where this statue has been damaged.
2)
3)
Older:
1)
2)
3)
Poster
Younger:
1) One of the people in this artwork is supposed to represent God. Who do you think that is?
2) Describe Adam's pose. Try to replicate it.
3) How many faces do you see?
Middle:
1) How did the artist represent Adam's 'new creation' status?
2) Why do you think the artist clothed God, but no one else in this painting?
3) What is your guess as to why this is a famous painting?
Older:
1) Eve is the woman under God's left arm. What is the symbolism of this?
2) What do Adam's pose and expression imply?
3) What do the position of the fingers represent?
Younger:
1) One of the people in this artwork is supposed to represent God. Who do you think that is?
2) Describe Adam's pose. Try to replicate it.
3) How many faces do you see?
Middle:
1) How did the artist represent Adam's 'new creation' status?
2) Why do you think the artist clothed God, but no one else in this painting?
3) What is your guess as to why this is a famous painting?
Older:
1) Eve is the woman under God's left arm. What is the symbolism of this?
2) What do Adam's pose and expression imply?
3) What do the position of the fingers represent?
Poster
Younger:
1) What is Venus standing on?
2) What do the two people flying appear to be doing?
3) Point out all the different kinds of plants you see.
Middle:
1) From the painting, what would be your guess as to the story the art is trying to depict? Tell someone what that story is, using as many elements from the painting as possible.
2) There several lengths of cloth in the painting. Describe how the artist used the fabric to convey movement.
3) How would you describe the expressions on the people's faces?
Older:
1) How does the figures' clothes (or lack thereof) affect the painting? Does it influence the 'story' for the viewer? How do you think this reflects on the artist?
2) Read the three ways (mythological, political, religious) of 'interpreting' this artwork here, then decide which interpretation you find most convincing and why.
3) Does Venus reflect the modern standards of beauty? Why or why not?
Younger:
1) What is Venus standing on?
2) What do the two people flying appear to be doing?
3) Point out all the different kinds of plants you see.
Middle:
1) From the painting, what would be your guess as to the story the art is trying to depict? Tell someone what that story is, using as many elements from the painting as possible.
2) There several lengths of cloth in the painting. Describe how the artist used the fabric to convey movement.
3) How would you describe the expressions on the people's faces?
Older:
1) How does the figures' clothes (or lack thereof) affect the painting? Does it influence the 'story' for the viewer? How do you think this reflects on the artist?
2) Read the three ways (mythological, political, religious) of 'interpreting' this artwork here, then decide which interpretation you find most convincing and why.
3) Does Venus reflect the modern standards of beauty? Why or why not?