Carrye Campbell

SLM 521

Spring 2005

Dropin 3

The Figure

The human figure is a theme depicted in numerous works of art by American artists. The figure is not only the fundamental element of portraiture, but also of historical, religious, mythological, and genre imagery. Many landscapes include figures to provide a sense of scale or help explain the scene. The only category that does not embrace the figure is still life, although a figural sculpture or painting may be among the details.

For this activity:

Visit the following website, which features several American works of art that depict figures. Select an artwork that interests you and click on it for an enlarged image. After recording the name of the artwork, artist and date, answer the following questions by perceiving and thinking critically about the work of art.

http://www.nga.gov/education/american/figure-i.shtm

Record all responses in your art notebook.

1. How would you describe the people in the artwork you selected? Are they like you or different?

2. How would you describe the scene depicted in the artwork?

3. What things do you recognize in the artwork? What things seem new to you?

4. How is the artwork similar or different from real life?

5. What interests you most about this work of art?

6. How do you think the people lived? How did you arrive at that idea?

7. What questions would you ask the artist about this work, if he/she were here?

8. What sounds would this artwork make, if it could?

9. Why do you think other people should see this work of art?

10. What would you do with this work of art if you owned it?

Make a sketch of the artwork in your art notebook.

The above image by Andrew Wyeth is from http://www.artchive.com/artchive/W/wyeth/christinas_world.jpg.html

The above image by Sidney Goodman is from http://www.artchive.com/artchive/G/goodman/goodman_figures.jpg.html

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