Impressionism – Music
The Impressionist painters, as we have seen, tried to capture the movement of color and light. Music is
predominantly the art of abstract movement. For this reason, the favorite images of the Impressionist painting -- the
play of light on water, clouds, gardens in the rain, sunlight through the leaves -- lent themselves readily to musical
expression. Such descriptive titles as "Reflections on the Water", "The Snow is Dancing", "Sounds and Perfumes
Swirl in the Evening Air", reveal composers as poets and painters in addition to being musicians (Kauble).
Listen to Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune.(Available on our class website under “Age of Isms”) It contains
“instrumental color,” so that “you can hear the color, and see the sounds.” In the video clip from Fantasia, you
were able to see the cool colors of the water glisten in the moonlight. This brought out the timbre as the
reflection shone in the ripples of the water.
Can you think of any other songs that may have this effect?
Your assignment is to create an image from the sound of a song. Choose your favorite song or a musical
piece that creates “instrumental color.” Use whatever materials are available i.e. colored pencils, markers,
pastels, paper, etc.
Clair de Lune
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Impressionism – Visual Art
Go to the following websites and answer the questions that pertain to the specific artists.
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/monet/
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How did Monet paint Women in the Garden?
Who visited him after he painted this piece? What artistic movement was this artist a part of?
Whose works did Monet study when he moved to England? What artistic movement were they apart of?
From 1890, what did Monet concentrate on?
What was the theme of his series Water-Lilies?
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/renoir/
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How would you characterize Renoir’s early works?
Which “masters” influenced his light-hearted themes?
Who was Renoir very good friends with?
What is unique about The Umbrellas?
What did Renoir say about the female form?
Choose one of the paintings and answer the following questions:
1) What is the natural subject matter the painter chose to depict?
2) How realistic is the painting-- does it look just like something you have seen in nature?
3) How has the artist used color in the picture? What sort of feeling or experience does this use of color
evoke?
4) How has the artist used line in the picture? What sort of feeling or experience does this use of line
evoke?
5) How is the illusion of space created in the piece?
6) What three words would you use to describe this painting?
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Impressionism – Visual Art
WebQuest: Welcome to Claude Monet’s - (http://www.intermonet.com)
Introduction
We are embarking on a journey to Giverny, France, to visit Claude Monet’s home and gardens. In this
webquest, you will become a researcher, architect, and connoisseur of art and flowers. You will take notes to
support your findings.
Task
After reading Monet’s biography, viewing his paintings and touring his gardens, you will discover and explain
how Monet used nature themes in his artworks. You will also describe how his uses of color and brush
techniques make his art unique.
Process
Step 1 Let’s look at Monet’s biography.
1) Where did Monet learn to be an artist?
2) Who were some of the influential artists in his life?
3) How did the visual impairment of cataracts affect his last years as a painter?
Step 2 Now, we will visit the village of Giverny.
4) Where is Giverny located?
5) How did Monet come to live in Giverny?
6) Look at the link to Monet’s Japanese bridge and water lilies. Make a sketch of the bridge, giving
attention to the arch and vertical railings.
Step 3 Let’s investigate Monet’s colors.
7) What are the unique features of Impressionism?
8) What were Monet’s principal colors?
9) Why did Monet not use the color black in his paintings?
Step 4 Click the link to Claude Monet in the museums. Go to the museums in America,
specifically the Museum of Fine Art in Boston. On the left side of the web page, click
Search, and then click Collection Search, which will lead you to the frame of artists.
Select Monet and view the collection.
10) How large is the Monet collection? What are some of the themes Monet included in his artwork?
11) What are your favorite three artworks?
Step 5 Let’s end with a visit to Monet’s house and gardens. Click on the link and follow to visit
Monet’s two gardens.
12) What was Monet’s plan in the arrangement of flowers?
13) The water garden has two famous objects that Monet frequently painted. What are they? Follow the link
to the flowers and plants in Monet’s garden.
14) List several of the flowers, plants and trees that you might find in your own are
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