Docent Art Program Halifax, MA 10-09
A Spill Out on The Snow
Currier and Ives, 1870
Even though this print was produced after the next one of steam boats, I thought we would begin with this painting because horses were around a lot longer and so represent an older form of transportation.
With this unit we can easily develop some lines of discussion that can continue through all the prints. Here are some possibilities:
a.Artistic techniques - I’m referring to the ones already mentioned of color, composition, eye flow. For example:
· Do the colors help our eyes to stay on the painting and within the frame? Are there any colors that are so odd or so bright that we keep looking at that spot and not at the rest of the painting? If our eyes keep looking at the whole painting does that help us to enjoy it?
· Can you describe the eye flow pattern? Where does your eye enter the painting and what path does it flow? What did the artist do to make your eyes do that? Isn’t that amazing?! An artist who lived 137 years ago put lines and colors on paper in such a way that your eyes are controlled. Even if you try not to follow that pattern, your eyes will still go back to it.
b.Transportation — The pros and cons of each can be considered. Examples:
1.Costs - The food and care of the horses. Does it take a lot of people to care for a horse?
2.Environment- Any benefits or costs? The horses give us back the gift of its manure - very useful for the earth.
3.Safety - We see here that even with horses, people had accidents. Is this one as bad as an accident with cars? Why not? What is the difference? (We can always play devil’s advocate.) Isn’t the horse buggy more open and exposed? Isn’t the car enclosed? What about speed?
4.Benefits - We already mentioned manure being good for the earth. Do people benefit from their pets? Don’t the horses provide the companionship of a living creature? Will the horse run out of gas? Is the horse pleasant or even beautiful to look at? Maybe the horse can’t be used in all weathers at all times but this picture proves that it can be used in many different kinds of weather. Can all means of transportation be used in so many ways? How about fun? Are all means of transportation fun? Do these people look like they are having fun? (The story of what is happening is probably the first thing that will be talked about.)
5. People’s feelings – What feelings are expressed in the painting? How can you tell? (Have the children describe the facial expressions that range from amusement to annoyance.)
6.Trivia (but not trivial) — There’s a history and science lesson in the trees. Aren’t they elm trees? They used to line so many New England streets. They have largely disappeared from that plague of Dutch elm disease, though. Another change over time.
A Spill Out on The Snow
Currier and Ives, 1870
Even though this print was produced after the next one of steam boats, I thought we would begin with this painting because horses were around a lot longer and so represent an older form of transportation.
With this unit we can easily develop some lines of discussion that can continue through all the prints. Here are some possibilities:
a.Artistic techniques - I’m referring to the ones already mentioned of color, composition, eye flow. For example:
· Do the colors help our eyes to stay on the painting and within the frame? Are there any colors that are so odd or so bright that we keep looking at that spot and not at the rest of the painting? If our eyes keep looking at the whole painting does that help us to enjoy it?
· Can you describe the eye flow pattern? Where does your eye enter the painting and what path does it flow? What did the artist do to make your eyes do that? Isn’t that amazing?! An artist who lived 137 years ago put lines and colors on paper in such a way that your eyes are controlled. Even if you try not to follow that pattern, your eyes will still go back to it.
b.Transportation — The pros and cons of each can be considered. Examples:
1.Costs - The food and care of the horses. Does it take a lot of people to care for a horse?
2.Environment- Any benefits or costs? The horses give us back the gift of its manure - very useful for the earth.
3.Safety - We see here that even with horses, people had accidents. Is this one as bad as an accident with cars? Why not? What is the difference? (We can always play devil’s advocate.) Isn’t the horse buggy more open and exposed? Isn’t the car enclosed? What about speed?
4.Benefits - We already mentioned manure being good for the earth. Do people benefit from their pets? Don’t the horses provide the companionship of a living creature? Will the horse run out of gas? Is the horse pleasant or even beautiful to look at? Maybe the horse can’t be used in all weathers at all times but this picture proves that it can be used in many different kinds of weather. Can all means of transportation be used in so many ways? How about fun? Are all means of transportation fun? Do these people look like they are having fun? (The story of what is happening is probably the first thing that will be talked about.)
5. People’s feelings – What feelings are expressed in the painting? How can you tell? (Have the children describe the facial expressions that range from amusement to annoyance.)
6.Trivia (but not trivial) — There’s a history and science lesson in the trees. Aren’t they elm trees? They used to line so many New England streets. They have largely disappeared from that plague of Dutch elm disease, though. Another change over time.
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