Teaching the Arts
Object in Focus
Benin Memorial HeadBenin Memorial Head Introduction What do you notice first about this head? The wide-open eyes staring powerfully into yours? The high collar…
Art of the ApsaalookaLance Case Apsaalooka (Crow) Horse trappings 19th-21st century Minneapolis Institute of Art Introduction The horse evolved millions of…
Album QuiltUnited States, Baltimore Album Quilt, c. 1825-50, Cotton; appliqué, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Gift of Stanley H. Brackett in memory of…
Asante Kente ClothMan's cloth Introduction There are different ways to look at a West African kente (KEN-tay) cloth hanging in a museum gallery. You can stand…
Asmat Bis PoleAsmat culture, New Guinea (Indonesia, Papua province), Bis pole, 20th century, Wood, pigment, Minneapolis Institute of Art, The Putnam Dana…
Bella Coola FrontletBella Coola (Nuxalk), Frontlet Bella Coola (Nuxalk) Frontlet, c. 1850 Wood, pigments, abalone shell, copper, ermine pelts, cotton, plant…
- Benin Head
Benin Memorial Head Introduction What do you notice first about this head? The wide-open eyes staring powerfully into yours? The high collar…
Beauford Delaney’s UntitledUntitled, Beauford Delaney Introduction What do you see? Swirling green lines. Patches of bright yellow. Red and blue paint dashed onto the…
Chinese Scholar’s StudyThe Studio of Gratifying Discourse Introduction All is quiet. A trickle of water flows in the garden outside the window. A breeze whispers…
Dear Diary—Never Since We Left PragueDear Diary—Never Since We Left Prague, Leonora Carrington, British,1917–2011, *Dear Diary—Never Since We Left Prague*, 1955, Oil on canvas…
View of Fort SnellingEdward K. Thomas, *View of Fort Snelling*, around 1850, Oil on canvas, The Minneapolis Institute of Art Introduction Leaves are turning…
The GamblersThe Gamblers Introduction What is going on in this picture? If we take a careful look at the figures body language and facial expressions…
Golden BirdBrancusi's Golden Bird Introduction Slide your eyes along this tall, thin sculpture from top to bottom. What do you see? Bright, shiny…
Goya’s Self-Portrait with Dr. ArrietaFrancisco de Goya's Self Portrait Introduction Remember how you felt the last time you were sick? Perhaps your muscles were weak and aching…
Italian Half ArmorItalian Half-armor Introduction Can a man wearing steel plates be graceful and elegant? From the look of this armor, the answer is yes…
Inuit FiguresInuit Ivory animal figures Arctic region, Inuit, Figures late 19th century walrus ivory, pigment Introduction Beast of the sea! Come and…
Ink Tablet in the Form of a TortoiseInk Tablet Turtle Introduction Smiling face. Strong back. Sturdy legs. This little tortoise is poised and ready to do his job. Chinese…
Japanese KimonoRed-orange Kimono Introduction Rich, beautiful silk. A vibrant, red color. Delicate patterns of flowers. Dazzling threads of gold. Have you…
Japanese Samurai ArmorJapanese Armor Introduction Precious materials, fine details, and exceptional craftsmanship—all are hallmarks of the beauty and artistry in…
Japanese Tiger and DragonDoan (Yamada Yorikiyo), Japanese, *Tiger and Dragon*, ink on paper, around 1560, The Minneapolis Institute of Art Introduction Imagine…
Japanese Ukiyo-e PrintsForest of Suijin Shrine and Masaki on the Sumida River Introduction Once sold quite inexpensively, prints like this one by Ando Hiroshige…
Korean Dragon JarKorean Dragon Jar Introduction Sweeping through the sky, this playful dragon bends its curving serpent body up and down and back and forth…
Kuba BeltYet Belt Introduction Dance your eyes around this full circle of objects. Jump along zigzag lines and sail around curves. Skip from bright…
- Lew Alcindor, basketball player…
Richard Avedon, American 1923-2004, *Lew Alcindor, basketball player, 61st Street and Amsterdam, Avenue, New York, May 2, 1963*, 196…
Lakota Winter CountWinter Count Lakota Winter Count, 19th-20th century Pigment on canvas The Minneapolis Institute of Art Introduction But what is really…
- Miao Festival Outfit
China, Miao people, Jacket and skirt, 20th century, Cotton, Minneapolis Institute of Art, The Ruth, Ann Dayton Chinese Room Endowment Fund…
- Money Tree
China, Money Tree, Bronze and green glazed earthenware, Eastern Han dynasty 1st/2nd century, Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton Introduction…
Paul Revere Tea ServicePaul Revere II, American (1735-1818), Tea service Introduction Paul Revere is famous for his patriotic midnight ride, in 1775. But did you…
Pedernal--From the RanchGeorgia O Keeffe, American, 1887-1986, Pedernal From the Ranch I, 1956, Oil on canvas, Minneapolis Institute of Art, © Minneapolis Institute…
Portrait of an Older WomanRoman Matron Introduction Let your eyes wander over this sculpture. Folds of fabric cross the woman's chest, drop off her shoulder, swing…
Portrait of George WashingtonPortrait of George Washington Introduction Perhaps you recognized the man in this picture the moment you saw it. What did you see that told…
A'aninin ShirtA'aninin Shirt A'aninin (Gros Ventre), Great Plains region (United States) Shirt (front view), about 1890 wool, beads, animal hide, and…
The SkatersThe Skaters Introduction At first glance this painting seems whimsical and lighthearted. Legs flying in the air, colorful costumes and the…
Tiger PillowIntroduction Rippling black stripes on a rich orange coat. Gleaming white teeth and a focused gaze. A long tail tucked against a robust body…
Village Story BlanketVillage Story Blanket Ka Zoua Lee (Hmong, born Laos) Village Story Blanket, 1980 Cotton, silk, synthetic; appliqué and embroidery The…
Virgin and Child in a LandscapeVirgin and Child in a landscape Introduction A woman sits outdoors, a child on her lap. Flowers bloom around them, and a tame peacock…
Five Facts
It’s About TimeThese five artworks have time on their side. *** Fact #1: Animal Attributes Today China uses the Gregorian calendar, or Western calendar…
- With All Due Respect
People everywhere have used art to honor someone they admire. Compare five examples to explore a variety of ways art can express respect…
American Period RoomsRecreations of historical rooms offer a glimpse into the lives of five American families. Fact #1: The Connecticut Room Brrr . . . it's cold…
African Masks and MasqueradesLearn the meanings behind the masks. French translation available under “Related Activities” inside this issue. Fact #1: A transformation…
American ScenesExplore the diverse American landscape through the experiences of five artists. Fact #1: The West Between 1820 and 1850, nearly four million…
- Art of the Ancient Americas
The people of the ancient Americas were as varied as the landscapes they lived in, but their art has some qualities in common. Fact One: Art…
Animals in ArtArtists show their love of animals. Fact One: The Elephant-Headed God Ganesha, 10th-11th century Indonesia, Eastern Java Sailendra dynasty…
The Art of IdentificationDiscover the different ways artists identify themselves on their works of art. *** Fact #1: Signed and Sealed In ancient times, stone…
The Art of RealismWhat’s real? See for yourself how five artists represent the reality of their – or other – worlds. Fact #1: The Delight of Deception Has a…
Building a MuseumThe dreams of Twin Cities art lovers of a century ago continue to take shape. Fact #1: A Temple of Art Massive marble columns. Gleaming…
Color My WorldCompare how five artists from around the world used color to communicate. Fact #1: The color of feelings The color is exquisite here…
- Art and the Court of Burgundy
Explore art of medieval France in “The Mourners: Tomb Sculptures from the Court of Burgundy,” a special exhibition at the MIA, January 23 to…
Don't Knock WoodExplore the versatile art of wood from around the world. Fact #1: A Play on Wood What do you notice first about these five bats? Why do you…
- Don't Knock Wood
Introduction Explore the versatile art of wood from around the world. Fact #1: A Play on Wood What do you notice first about these five bats…
Edgar DegasExperience the art and look at the life of Edgar Degas. Fact #1: Beside the Sea Edgar Degas is known mainly as a figure artist, but he also…
Everyday ArtSee how artists make the ordinary extraordinary. Fact #1: A Family Portrait The painter Berthe Morisot lived in Paris, France, during the…
Everything Under the SunEveryone, everywhere and in every time, has experienced the sun. See how ideas about the sun have appeared in art from a variety of cultures…
Find Yourself Face to FaceGet familiar with faces found at the museum. *** Fact #1: Shrine Head Why do we take pictures of our friends and family? One reason is to…
From Farm to TableGo on a delicious adventure to learn about food-related artworks from around the world. Fact #1: Fresh from the Fields Look closely at this…
Henri MatisseDrawings, paintings, sculptures, prints, and collages – Henri Matisse was a master artist like no other. Fact #1: It’s all about Drawing…
Getting from Here to ThereFive artworks show us different ways to get around. Fact #1: Traveling Along the Silk Road Would you like to ride a camel? You would…
Indian ArtThe art of India, birthplace of three major religions, provides an introduction to a fascinating culture. Fact One: Much Indian art…
Insects in ArtEven the smallest creatures can inspire artists. Fact #1: A symbol of rebirth Scarab beetles, also called dung beetles, roll balls of…
The Lasting Impression of French ImpressionismLearn what made French Impressionism so radical in the late 19th century and so influential in subsequent times. **** Fact #1: Strokes of…
Making PeaceThese five diverse artworks represent stories about peace Fact One: Inner Peace object:1366 Ernst Barlach German, 1870–1938 The Fighter…
Math in ArtDiscover the many ways artists use math in creating their masterpieces. Fact #1: Medium + Artist = Art Whether they know it or not, artists…
Identity and Prestige in Mayan TextilesDiscover how the designs of Mayan textiles from Mexico and Guatemala communicate identity and status. Fact One: Honor Through Dress…
Medieval Illuminated ManuscriptsDiscover the art of bookmaking. *** Fact #1: What is an illuminated manuscript? The word “manuscript” from the Latin words manus (hand…
Minnesota ArtistsIntroduction Each making art in a different way, the artists featured here all added something to the story of Minnesota. object:5669 Warren…
Money and TradeSpending and saving through times and places. **** Fact #1: Saving Your Pennies Personal money-boxes and coin banks have been used to…
Music and artColorful sounds abound in these five works of art. Fact #1: Sacred Sounds The world's first bells were produced in China around 3000 BCE…
A Sense of PlaceWhat gives meaning to a place? How does an artist create a sense of place? Explore these questions through five artworks from different…
SurrealismSee what happens when artists set out to change our view of reality. Fact #1: Don’t be so reasonable… In 1924, the French poet André Breton…
Around the World at the Time of ColumbusLet art take you on a journey around a world about to change forever. Fact #1: Gold, Language of the Gods This small gold figure of a man…
Weather or NotWeather is a popular topic for discussion. It's also a favorite subject for artists. Fact #1: A Storm Approaches On July 13, 1890, a tornado…
You Are What You WearFive artworks that show how the things you wear tell about who you are. Fact #1: How she wished to be seen The wealthy Comtesse d'Egmont…