Concordia University has put together a series of free art appreciation lessons. Each level includes 10 lessons that correspond to the months September through June (but can very easily be adjusted to fit your own schedule).
Each lesson includes background on the artist, information about the work, directed observation, activities, and recommended literature that would go well with the picture study.
Update: This resource is no longer available, so we are linking to an archived version.
The second level of study is Grade 2 Lessons. We don’t have to worry ourselves about “grade level.” Art has a way of crossing all age barriers. Just enjoy these well-written activities with the entire family.
If you are looking for more, use the month to study other works of the featured artist (be advised — some of the artists in level 2 are not worth pursuing). Or take an idea from these 8 ways to easily teach art appreciation.
Selected Works
Whitney
Two other statues by Anne Whitney:
Leif Erikson Statue in Boston
Samuel Adams Statue at Statuary Hall
Rousseau
Tiger in a Tropical Storm (Surprised!) — Henri Rousseau
Henry Rousseau Bird Drawing
Another how-to from Rumriver Art Center: Art Projects for Homeschoolers.
Catlin
Máh-to-tóh-pa, “Four Bears” — George Catlin
George Catlin: Máh-to-tóh-pa, Four Bears, Second Chief, in Full Dress, 1832
Description of the painting by the artist himself.
Catlin Painting the Portrait of Mah-to-toh-pa
The painter’s painting of the painter painting Mah-to-toh-pa (page 30 of the resource).
Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Conditions of North American Indians by George Catlin
Descriptions of the different Indian tribes, geographical locations and other detailed information from the man who lived among them. Letter No. 1 is an autobiography of the painter.
The Boy’s Catlin by Mary Gay Humphreys
Based on the above, an edited version for young people. Public domain download.
Copley
Sir William Pepperrell and His Family — John Singleton Copley
Paul Revere
Another Copley painting.
Picturing America Resource Book: Paul Revere 1768
Brief bio of Copley and more detailed information about his Paul Revere painting, including art study activities (pg. 10 of the resource).
Tanner
The Banjo Lesson — Henry Ossawa Tanner
Henry Ossawa Tanner Biography
From the National Archives.
Courbet
The Stone Breakers — Gustave Courbet
Millet
The Gleaners — Jean Francois Millet
“The Gleaners”
Painting description from public domain title, Jean Francois Millet by Estelle M. Hurll.
“A Story of Harvest Time”
Selection from Language Lessons by Wisely and Griswald written by James Baldwin describing gleaning.
Millet: Masterpieces in Colour {Free eBook & Go-Alongs}
Public domain book with works and resources.
Van Gogh
The Starry Night — Vincent van Gogh
Starry Night LEGO Mosaic
Inspired?
Van Gogh Starry Night Outline
Very simple for coloring.
Monet
The Water Lily Pond — Claude Monet
Merian
Cockroaches and Flowering Pineapple — Maria Sibylla Merian
Additional Resources
Discovering Great Artists by Kohl and Solga
Winner of a Practical Homeschooling Reader Award, contains over 150 hands-on activities based on the styles of great artists. Artists covered include Rousseau, Courbet, Van Gogh and Monet.
Artist Notebooking Set
Simple pages for documenting the artist and works.
Monthly Art Appreciation Lessons {Free}
More at Concordia.
Keep Reading
Monthly Art Appreciation Lessons Free ~ Part 3
Free monthly art appreciation lessons September through June.
Picturing America {Free Art History Lessons}
Picturing America is a free 130-page Teacher’s Resource book with 20 lessons that explore America through art.
8 Ways to Easily Teach Art Appreciation
Covering art appreciation without breaking the school time budget.