Famous Artists Activity
You develop an appreciation for art, when you understand it. This activity encourages children to evolve creatively; learn to express themselves; expand their vocabulary, and learn about famous artists, and art styles. The Famous Artists Activity has 3-part cards, and separate matching activities. The back of the control card has detailed information, for the teacher to reference.


Art stimulates the Child’s creative spirit. Often, art can provide an outlet for them to communicate their emotions, releasing stress, tension; and even anger; or happiness. Art allows children to develop their fine motor skills, and independent thinking. The Famous Artists Activity, releases a further level of the Child’s creative spirit; the enjoyment of art; and how it is created, regardless of whether they can paint or not.
Maria Montessori did not believe that you could “teach” a child to become an artist however, she was a strong believer in nurturing children’s creative abilities. “It is thanks to the hand, the companion of the mind, that civilization has arisen.” The Absorbent Mind.
This activity introduces the Child to 12 famous artists, and three famous works from each, in beautiful colour illustrations. The teacher presents this work, as:

a 3-part card exercise, with detailed information about each artist on the back of the control; for the teacher to reference; and a matching activity
the matching/sorting activity can be used in the following ways:-
match the artistic movement; or style; to famous paintings,
add the label with artists’ name, the date of birth, and death
to match the painting to the artist
Artiests Featured in this Material:
Michelangelo Mary Cassatt Johannes Vermeer John Constable Salvador Dali Leonardo da Vinci
Claud Monet Rembrandt van Rijn Frida Kahlo Vincent van Gogh Pablo Picasso Edvard Munch
Features of the Famous Artists Activity:
the direct objectives for the Child, are to:
build an understanding of famous artists
appreciate the different styles of painting
indirectly, the Child learns to:
expand their vocabulary to express emotions, and classify visual experiences
develop reading skills
improve their focus and concentration
develop self-expression and their self-esteem
this activity forms part of the Montessori language curriculum
Contents of the Famous Artists Activity:
12 sets of classified cards; each set has a control card; mute (image) card, and label
the control card, has details about the artist,
when s/he lived
the style of painting he used
notable works, painted during the artists’ career
interesting facts
36 beautifully illustrated cards, depicting famous paintings – 3 per artist
12 additional labels, with the artists name, and the years that they lived
the cards are stored in an A6 transparent, plastic envelope to store them on the Montessori shelf
Suggested Activities for the Child:
Choose an Artist of the Month. Choose artists that relate to your continent studies, and incorporate a famous artist? Europe? Select Van Gogh’s The Starry Night
Think creatively. For example, Michelangelo lay on his back as he painted the Sistine Chapel. Jolene Tollet presented this idea at the March 2011 AMS conference in Chicago. After talking about the artist, she lets the children experience what Michelangelo did, painting on his back! Tape a large sheet of paper to the bottom of a desk or table, and let the Child paint to their hearts’ content. Don’t forget to protect their clothes and the floor!
Discover mood. Let the Child to describe the mood or emotions that the painting evokes – sad? happy? silly? tired? angry?
Inspiration. Set the Child a task to research the various works, and to try to understand the inspiration behind their paintings.
Size:

control card – 13.5cm x 9cm
plastic envelope – 18cm x 13cm x 2cm
VXCard – Features and Care
Attributions for the Famous Artists Activity:
All works are faithful photographic reproductions of two-dimensional, public domain works of art.
David by Michelangelo – Jörg Bittner Unna and Wikipedia.
Sistine Chapel ceiling – Amandajm
John Constable – Stephencdickson