Art Friday: Visit to the art gallery (Part 1)


Art Friday: A trip to the art gallery

I love visiting art galleries and a big believer that all children should visit art galleries as often as possible to develop a love of art. It allows children to see the changing styles of art, ask questions about different art styles and techniques, do research into the stories behind particular paintings they see, research the history of times that these paintings occurred, learn about different artists etc..  For older children, they can research the sort of music was being written at the time these artists lived, the politic landscape, the value of art, who did these artists paint for (some were in the employment of the King or Queen), famous authors who lived at the time of these artists (for example Dickens was great friends with a number of famous artists). How about art theft and art stolen during the Second World War. 

Younger children may not have the attention span to see the entire gallery all at once and it is best to break it up into smaller visits. Some may need a rest during their visit — even some adults need to rest awhile (!) and most galleries provide chairs and benches to sit on. 

If your gallery allows photography (not all do), it is well worth taking photos of those that are favourites so the children can look at them in more detail once home and do further research. Don't forget to take a photo of the label so you can remember the name of the artist and painting. If you are blessed to live in a city with a major gallery, you may have the opportunity to see some master-pieces which are well worth visiting. 


The paintings in todays post were taken a few weeks ago when my brother, his wife and I visited the Art Gallery of South Australia. My all time favourite painting in this gallery is called "Evening Shadows" by H. J. Johnstone (Bristish). It has always been a favourite of mine and I think it always will be:) If your children find a painting they really like and can take photos, why not take some close ups so they can look at the details of the paintings once at home. 


















Comments

  1. The woman with two plaits struck me. It is a very unusual painting, I am sure it is not flattering, but is real, and her hands are kind of masculine... Intrigued me =)
    love,
    Bets

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    1. That particular painting is by Nora Heysen, the daughter of Hans Heysen - Australia's landscape painter (who came from Hahndorf not far from my parents).

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  2. This post is like a mini-vacation for me.

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  3. I have it on my list of goals for the year to take my boys to their first art gallery. I was thinking of making up a scavenger hunt list... find one dog, a crown, three apples, etc. Just to keep them interested and entertained.

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    1. That is a brilliant idea to keep them interested and they will need to really look close at some paintings. if you can take photos at your gallery - you could take photos of some of the things they find.

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  4. Beautiful! I am so inspired by art ... Thank you so much for this museum visit. Many blessings to you ❤️

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    1. Thanks Beth, paintings tell us so much about where we have come from, its really our history in pictures!!

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  5. I particularly like the landscape paintings - the details and accuracy of the artwork is amazing. I don't need to work on encouraging my children to love art... they LOVE it anyway and aspire to being artists themselves!! We went to an art gallery a few years ago and the children quite enjoyed it. :)

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    1. Art tells us some much about the world the artist lived in which I find fascinating as I love history :)) Glad your children love art, its a wonderful thing to love.

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