Lesson #3: Exploring Cityscapes

Part of the unit: Painting a Cityscape |

Goals

Aim: 
What are the different ways that artists have interpreted the city?
Students will be able to:
Compare early 20th Century New York cityscapes
Develop their sketches to create a personal point of view
Students will understand that:
Artists are inspired by the neighborhoods they frequent and live in.
Artists help us interpret our world.
Materials

Sketches on 15"x18" drawing paper, homework drawings and photographs, pencils, and erasers.

Resources

Images of New York City scenes: Frederick Childe Hassam's Flags, Fifth Avenue; John Sloan's 6th Avenue at Third Street, Marc Tobey's Broadway;  John Marin's From the Windows of 29 Looking Down Fifth Avenue, William Glackens' Italo-American Celebration in Washington Square, John Sloan's Backyards, Greenwich Village

Motivation: 

Display Frederick Childe Hassam's Flags, Fifth Avenue; John Sloan's 6th Avenue at Third Street, Marc Tobey's Broadway;  John Marin's From the Windows of 29 Looking Down Fifth Avenue, William Glackens' Italo-American Celebration in Washington SquareThe titles and artists' names should be written on the board.

Explain that these paintings depict early 20th century New York cityscapes.

  • What evidence is there that these views were painted during the early 20th century?
  • What ideas about New York are conveyed in these paintings?
  • How have these artists created a "sense of place"? (Discuss "sense of place" if students are unfamiliar with the term)

Display John Sloan's Backyards, Greenwich Village.

  • In what ways is this painting different from the ones we've just looked at? 

Explain that artists communicate ideas that help us interpret our world - we can learn about our city during a particular period by studying the art produced at the time.  Students will reflect on what they want to communicate about the site they have drawn.

  • What will you include in your painting to convey your personal point of view? (Chart responses: how many people to show, what time of day, what colors and weather conditions would create a mood, what details would enhance a sense of place, what objects would indicate that this is the 21st century...
Demonstration: 

Distribute student sketches, pencils, erasers.

Ask a student volunteer to show an unfinished sketch and to explain how he/she will:

  • create a personal point of view
  • indicate that this is a contemporary image.

Students will continue to refine their sketch as they develop their concept for their painting.

Students at the same table will share their sketches and will discuss what they want their painting to communicate. 

The teacher will prepare a list of New York cityscapes found in New York City museums. Students will use the internet to compare two paintings from this list. A written report should address questions such as:

  • How does each artist convey a "sense of place"?
  • How did the artists create the illusion of depth?
  • How can examining these paintings help you with your cityscape painting?
  • Which work do you prefer? Why?