7th Grade art students recently had a lesson on Austrian artist Gustav Klimt and his work with pattern and portraits.
Students learned that Klimt was the co-founder of the Vienna Secession – a group of artists who deviated from the restrictive painting style of the day, to express their creativity through human emotions in a more abstract and imaginative way. Klimt worked in a hybrid style that gave nod to his studies in decorative arts mixed with realism from landscape and portrait painting. It was Klimt’s use of ornate pattern in a simple composition that set him apart, and why we study him today.
7th grade artists chose a Klimt painting to replicate through observational techniques which helped them understand the artist’s process and motives. This project built on their understanding of pattern demonstrated in an ikat design project completed earlier this year.
Enjoy the gallery!
