For ideas on how to implement Art Study in your homeschool, go to my page “Art and Music.”

Europe

Netherlands: Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) was a Dutch painter during the Baroque period.

We felt that these two books were worthy additions to our art study: “What Makes A Rembrandt A Rembrandt?” by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and “A Weekend with Rembrandt,” by Pascal Bonafoux.

Here are some excellent Rembrandts to study:

• The Night Watch, 1642 (download)
  • Khan Academy Video
• Shipbuilder Jan Rijcksen and his Wife, 1633 (download)
• Aristotle Contemplating a Bust of Homer, 1633 (download)
  • Khan Academy Video
• Supper at Emmaus, 1648 (download)
• The Return of the Prodigal Son, 1660 (download)

Netherlands: Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was a Dutch post-impressionist painter. He spent much time in France.

• Sunflowers 1888 (download)
  • “Van Gogh and the Sunflowers,” by Laurence Anholt
  • “Katie and the Sunflowers,” by James Mayhew
• Starry Night 1889 (download)
  • “Vincent Can’t Sleep: Van Gogh Paints the Night Sky,” by Barb Rosenstock
  • “Katie and the Starry Night,” by James Mayhew
  • Khan Academy Article
• The Potato Eaters 1885 (download)
  • Khan Academy Video
• The Bedroom, 1888 (download)
  • Khan Academy Video
  • Khan Academy Video: The Science of Van Gogh’s Bedrooms

Netherlands: Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was a Dutch painter during the Baroque period. Essentialvermeer.com is an incredible and interactive website for the viewer to gain historical insight and literal perspective into Vermeer’s paintings.

We really enjoyed the book, “The Vermeer Interviews: Conversations with Seven Works of Art,” by Bob Raczka. He provides insight into the Vermeer’s works by way of conversation with the people in each painting. The paintings are a bit dark in the book but I’ve provided the download links below for a clearer image.

“Chasing Vermeer,” by Blue Balliett (Book Level 5.4) is a fictional novel for late elementary and middle schoolers that piqued my kids’ interest in Vermeer.

• View of Delft 1660-1661 (download)
• The Milkmaid 1658 (download), also in “The Vermeer Interview”
• The Geographer 1669 (download), also in “The Vermeer Interview”
• The Art of Painting 1665-1666 (download), also in “The Vermeer Interview”
• Woman in Blue Reading a Letter 1662-1663 (download), also in “The Vermeer Interview”
• Girl with a Pearl Earring 1665 (download)

Netherlands: Piet Mondrian

Mondrian (1872-1944) was one of the early painters of 20th century abstract art. His most famous works are those using geometric shapes and primary colors. We used this book, “Mondrian,” by Grange Books, to look at his paintings and how his style changed over time as he was influenced by the cubist painters in Paris. This is also a good website to introduce kids to Mondrian: Tate Museums in the UK.

• Tableu I 1921 (download)
• Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow, 1930 (download)
• Victory Boogie Woogie (1942–1944, (download)