Van Gogh and the Post-Impressionists for Kids: Their Lives and Ideas, 21 Activities

162 Pages·2011·36.74 MB·English

by  Carol Sabbeth

art/activity ages 9 & up
v
a
IvId CoLorS . SwIrLIng, CurLIng bruShSTroKeS . n Van Gogh

Daring dashes. Bold, thick layers of paint. These are the hallmarks of a g
o
Vincent van Gogh painting, whose work his fellow artist Paul Cézanne
g
once called “that of a madman.” But Van Gogh and the Post-Impressionists for Kids h
moves far beyond the popular image of the mad pauper to reveal a complex young a
n
d
man who loved nature, reading, and conversation, spoke four languages, and
t
h
e and the
enjoyed a successful career as a gallery salesman before embarking on studies as a
P
minister and, finally, finding his calling as an artist. o
s Post-Impressionists
Kids will journey from the hills and dales of the Netherlands to the center of the t
-
I
art world—Paris!—to the dazzling sunflower fields of southern France. Along the way m
they’ll learn about van Gogh’s friendships with four other enthusiastic, like-minded p
Kids
r
painters who admired but were determined to depart from Impressionism: Paul e for
s
Gauguin, Paul Signac, Émile Bernard, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Aspiring s
i
o
young artists and history buffs will learn not only how these Post-Impressionists’
n
daring shapes, colors, and techniques distinguished their work from what was i
s
t
painted before but also how the men helped one another and whether or not s
f
they always got along. Fun and creative projects will bring history and art concepts o
r
K
to life. Kids can
i
f d
create a Starry Night peep box
s
f
make a Pointillist sailboat—that can really sail!
f craft a Japanese fold-out album • 2 1 Acti
v
f design a poster using the methods of Toulouse-Lautrec S a s iti
A
e e
b
and much more b d s
e I
T d
h n
a

Their Li v e s
IPG
Carol Sabbeth
Van Gogh
and the
Post-Impressionists
2 1 A
Kids c
t
• i
v
for s i
t
a i

e
e
d
s
I

d
n Carol Sabbeth
a

T e s
heir Li v
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
About the Author
Sabbeth, Carol, 1957–
Van Gogh and the Post-Impressionists for kids : their lives and CARoL SABBeTh presents art workshops to children and
ideas, 21 activities / Carol Sabbeth.—1st ed. teachers throughout the United States and in england and
p. cm. France. She also performs as a storyteller, bringing art history
Includes bibliographical references and index. to life by impersonating famous women artists. She is author of
ISBN 978-1-56976-275-2 (pbk.) Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Monet and the Impressionists for Kids,
1. Post-impressionism (Art)—Juvenile literature. 2. Gogh, Crayons and Computers, and Kids’ Computer Creations. She lives in
Vincent van, 1853–1890—Friends and associates—Juvenile literature. Roswell, Georgia, with her husband, Alex.
3. Art, French—19th century—Juvenile literature. I. Title.
N6465.P6S23 2011
709.03'46—dc22
2010053908
Cover and interior design: Joan Sommers Design
Interior illustrations: TJ Romero
Cover images:
© 2011 by Carol Sabbeth
All rights reserved
First edition
Published by Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
814 North Franklin Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
ISBN 978-1-56976-275-2
Printed in China
5 4 3 2 1
To Alex
Contents
Acknowledgments vii
Time Line viii

I ntroduction: Vincent and His 4
THe LAnd oF
Colorful Friends xi
SunFLoWerS 45

S unny Springtime Bird Feeder 46
1
HAPPy BIrTHdAy,

Vincent’s Sunflowers 53
VInCenT 1
C reate a “Self-Portrait” of your room 55
Make Pannekoeken 4
Vincent’s Mixed-up Soup 58
A Picture in Words 8
draw a Mirror Image 63

2
BeCoMIng An
ArTIST 13
Shades of gray 17
L ights, Camera, . . . Action! 22

3
PArIS! 29
Portrait à la Tanguy 37
Japanese Fold-out Album 42
7
HenrI de TouLouSe-
LAuTreC 97
The Art of the Poster 105
Paris Shadow Theater 107

8
PAuL SIgnAC 111
Make a Pointillist Sailboat 118

9
ÉMILe BernArd 121
Stained glass Alphabet 122

5 THe LAST HoPe 65 Write an Acrostic Poem 125
Woven Styles 131
M ake a Peep Box 68
C reate a Self-Portrait in
Swirling Words 72 epilogue: More dazzling than ever 133
Map: Post-Impressionist Paths 134
glossary 135
6
PAuL gAuguIn 85
Bibliography 137
draw a dreamscape 91 Image Credits 138
Index 142
Start the (you) School 92

Acknowledgments
T
hIS BooK BeGAN as an answer to a museum staff at the Vincent van Gogh house in
10-year-old’s question. While I was visiting a Zundert shared their knowledge about the artist’s child-
classroom to talk about the Impressionists, hood, as well as his 150th birthday celebration. Many
a boy asked me, “Were Monet and van Gogh ever thanks to Karen Ku, Kim Fredrickson, Ruthie Kirk, and
friends?” It made me wonder: Did the red-bearded the reference librarians at emory University’s Woodruff
artist, who is famous for being a loner, have many Library. Thanks also to my editors Lisa Reardon and
artist friends? Several people in the United States, the Michelle Schoob, to Cynthia Sherry, and to my wonder-
Netherlands, and France have helped me discover the ful husband, Alex, for his help and support. Last but
answer. Christine Perreux was my French connection. not least, to all the children—you come up with the most
hedy Vrakking advised me on all things Dutch. The amazing questions.
vii
Time Line
1848 Paul Gauguin born in Paris
on June 7
1868 Émile Bernard born in Lille,
1853 Vincent van Gogh born in
France, on April 28
Zundert, the Netherlands, on
March 30 1869 Van Gogh starts apprentice-
ship at art gallery in
1857 Theo van Gogh born
The hague
on May 1
1873 Van Gogh is transferred to
1863 Paul Signac born in Paris
London branch of art gallery
on November 11
1874 First Impressionist exhibition
1864 henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
born in Albi, France, on 1875 Van Gogh is transferred to
November 24 Paris branch of art gallery
1867 The Paris World’s Fair 1876 Van Gogh becomes school-
introduces Japanese art teacher in england 1879 Van Gogh preaches in
to the West
the Borinage
1878 Toulouse-Lautrec breaks his
leg at age 13. Breaks second 1880 Van Gogh decides to become
leg one year later. an artist and practices drawing
on his own
Gauguin exhibits with
the Impressionists
1881 Van Gogh returns to live with
his parents and falls in love
with his cousin
Pablo Picasso is born
viii
1890 Van Gogh sells his first
and only painting,
The Red Vineyard
In May, he moves to Auvers-
sur-oise, paints Portrait of
Dr. Gachet
1935 Signac dies in Paris at age 71
Van Gogh shoots himself and
1885 Van Gogh paints
dies two days later at age 37 1939 World War II begins; Van
The Potato Eaters
Gogh’s paintings hidden in
1891 Gauguin moves to Tahiti
1886 Van Gogh moves to Paris,
bunkers on the Dutch coast
meets Toulouse-Lautrec and 1899 Toulouse-Lautrec commited to
1941 Bernard dies in Paris at age 72
Émile Bernard a mental asylum
1973 Van Gogh Museum opens in
Bernard begins walking tour 1901 Toulouse-Lautrec dies at
Amsterdam
through Brittany age 36
1990 Van Gogh’s Portrait of
1887 Signac meets van Gogh at 1903 Gauguin dies in hiva oa at
Dr. Gachet sells for record
Tanguy’s art supply store age 54
$82.5 million
1888 Van Gogh moves to Arles, 1928 Andy Warhol is born
2003 Worldwide, people turn
France. Gauguin joins him
out to celebrate van Gogh’s
there. After weeks of tension,
150th birthday
van Gogh has a breakdown and
cuts off part of his ear.
1889 Van Gogh voluntarily enters a
mental asylum, where he paints
The Starry Night
ix