This is a full color, easy to read book, exploring paintings for students grade 5-8. The text is very clearly written and easy to understand with vibrant illustrations and pictures describing various artistic techniques. The reproduction of famous artworks is impressive, very little is lost in the translation of original work to photograph in this book. Looking at Pictures centers around paintings, exploring a variety of subject matter: painting techniques used, iconography, symbolism, lighting of subjects and landscapes among other prominent themes in painting.
This text would be best used to supplement an Art History unit. It explains narratives involved in famous paintings, and also the historical context in which an artwork was created in. Students can be shown images and be asked to identify the historical influences the read about the work, seeing if they are correct. Various techniques and the time period they were predominantly used in are explored and explained. With the information of techniques and subject matter students will be more well equipped to identify what time period artwork was created in.
Richardson, J. (1997). Looking at Pictures: An Introduction to Art For Young People. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated
Official OK on these trade books. KB
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