Art History

Compiled By Wendy Lukehart -- School Library Journal, 4/1/2004

"Exercising our senses in correct perception of differences between things means laying the foundations for all wisdom, all wise discourse and all wise acts of life…. It is well known that boys… delight in pictures and are willing to please their eyes with these sights. If we succeed in turning the scarecrows out of the gardens of wisdom, it will be very well worth the pains."–John Amos Comenius, Forward, Orbis Pictus (The Visible World), 1653

Moravian bishop from the Czech Republic, Comenius is frequently cited for his keen insight regarding effective educational strategies and for being the first to include pictures in a children's book (Orbis Pictus, 1653). He believed that images are crucial, both in helping young people understand their world and learn language and in stirring up a sense of delight in discovery. His message continues to resonate and—except for the gendered reference—might just as easily have come from current pedagogy on visual thinking strategies.

Whether one views art as a cultural record, a political or religious instrument, a celebration of form and color, or an instinctual force, it is a given that sharing diverse expressions of creativity with children plants fresh understandings and pathways for their own questions and drives. It is impossible to do justice to the many outstanding titles focusing exclusively on each branch of the visual arts within the limits of this bibliography; each merits its own article. As a result, the concentration here is on painting and drawing and, in particular, titles with strong design, quality reproductions, substantive information, and youth appeal.

Three categories emerge from the recent arts publishing renaissance and provide the framework for this piece. "Surveying the Scene" is comprised of books considering a place or a time period. "Lives of the Artists" ranges from autobiography to fiction, but each title included allows the subject's art to help tell the story. "The Art Speaks for Itself" applauds those authors and publishers who showcase fine art, creating spectacular invitations to enter very special worlds. These titles may tell a story, detail a life, depict an imaginary museum visit, or illustrate concepts. Each provides a rich aesthetic experience through the inspired use of original art and its interplay with text.

While these books correlate with the outcomes cataloged in the National Standards for Arts Education (compiled by the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations and found at artsedge.kennedy-center.org/teach/standards.cfm), they also connect directly to a young person's innate impulse to revel in and respond to beauty, provocation, form, and meaning. Comenius's seedlings flourish.—Wendy Lukehart

Surveying the Scene

HODGE, Susie. Ancient Egyptian Art. Heinemann Library. 1998.
Gr 3-6 –How does one "read" an Egyptian painting? Why are the heads always shown from the side, even when the bodies face forward? What did the artists use for paint? In addressing these and other questions, this accessible series entry covers material not easily found elsewhere. Organized chronologically, the two-page topics are accompanied by an abundance of captioned photographs. Sculpture and architecture are included as well.

Paint and Painting. Scholastic. 1994.
Gr 2-6 –This examination of painting pairs tools, media, and methods with well-known works, enhancing the viewer's understanding of process. The clarity, high-gloss paper, and interactive features set it apart from other titles. One may experience the texture of Egyptian papyrus, open a medieval Dutch altarpiece, and, in the last section, comprehend the effects of time by uncovering restored paintings and comparing the luster to their pre-conservation appearance. Art appreciation in the truest sense.

RICHARDSON, Joy. Inside the Museum. Abrams. 1993.
Gr 3-9 –This guidebook to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the perfect choice to whet a child's appetite prior to a trip to a museum or to answer questions afterward. Destinations high in child appeal are organized in chapters with broad headings, e.g., "Behind the Scenes," "Medieval Art," "The Costume Institute." Images are frequently accompanied by photographs that either place objects in their original setting or offer additional insights. Activities, eye-spy games, and "fascinating facts" add interest. There is much to be enjoyed even if the visit is vicarious.

Lives of the Artists

EVERETT, Gwen. Li'l Sis and Uncle Willie. Rizzoli. 1991.
K-Gr 4 –William H. Johnson's life is portrayed through his paintings, photographs, and the voice Everett creates for Johnson's niece. The story places "Uncle Willie" in South Carolina where images of his international travels are interspersed with those of the child's rural setting; all employ vivid colors, vibrant patterns, and strong lines. Personal difficulties and the racially charged national scene are honestly, but sensitively handled.

GREENBERG, Jan & Sandra Jordan. Action Jackson. illus. by Robert Andrew Parker. Millbrook/Roaring Brook. 2002.
Gr 1-5–Parker's loose, animated watercolors depict the barn, the paint buckets, and the periods of contemplation and activity that led to Jackson Pollock's Number One, 1950 (Lavender Mist) —included at the climax. While some of the background of this famous drip painting is invented, many details and direct quotes are documented in illustrated source notes. Biographical notes round out the profile of this "athlete with a paintbrush."

HOLZHEY, Magdalena. Frida Kahlo: The Artist in the Blue House. Prestel. 2003.
Gr 2-6 –Clean, expansive design, mysterious imagery, and intriguing photographs of this Mexican artist command attention and arouse curiosity. Questions directed to readers mingle with materials about Kahlo's life-altering accident, marriage to Diego Rivera, and bond to her homeland—all of which inform her art. Illustrated diary pages are included. A unique introduction to an enigmatic persona.

LITTLECHILD, George. This Land Is My Land. illus. by author. Children's Book Press. 1993.
Gr 2-6 –Member of the Plains Cree Nation, artist George Littlechild unfolds his past and honors his ancestors in spirited, painted collages. Full spreads bring together first-person text, striking visuals, and revealing explanations. Heartrending personal anecdotes and historical commentary explore the recurring theme of land ownership. Sure to strike a sympathetic chord.

O'Connor, Jane. MaryCassatt: Family Pictures. illus. by Jennifer Kalis. Grossett & Dunlap. 2003.
Gr 1-4 –A scrapbook format contains the rubric for a girl's class assignment, photographs of her family "pasted" next to relevant reproductions, and caricatures of Cassatt and her world. The narration presents biographical and historical data, a bit of formal analysis, and in-character opinion. This title is informative, appealing, and fun.

SKIRA-VENTURI, Rosabianca. A Weekend with Leonardo da Vinci. Rizzoli. 1994.
Gr 3-6 –Leonardo offerings abound, but none convey the power of his oeuvre as well as this one. Although the presentation is fictional, the ruse created for the artist to reminisce is peppered with journal entries. This technique lends authenticity and the flavor of the master's personality. Every page is filled with sketches or paintings, carefully chosen to complement the text. Captions provide off-stage interpretations. A handsome portrait.

The Art Speaks for Itself

BEARDEN, Romare. Li'l Dan, the Drummer Boy. illus. by author. S & S. 2003.
K-Gr 4 –Deep, fluid watercolors and collage tell this stirring story of a young slave just learning about his freedom. Found on a deserted plantation by black Union troops, Li'l Dan ultimately saves their lives by imitating the sounds of war on his homemade drum. A CD featuring a reading by Maya Angelou accompanies the only picture book both written and illustrated by this acclaimed artist.

BROWNE, Anthony. The Shape Game. illus. by author. Farrar. 2003.
K-Gr 4–An autobiographical museum odyssey is the perfect premise for Browne to showcase his insight into human behavior, zany sense of humor, and considerable artistic talent. Despite initial resistance to Mom's field trip, father and sons are literally pulled into the paintings and transformed by the experience. The piece de resistance is Mom's game: one child draws an ambiguous shape and the partner adds details to define it.

Knox, Bob. The Great Art Adventure. Rizzoli. 1993.
K-Gr 4 –During Dave and Jane's journey through the Museum of World Art, they imagine themselves in works of art ranging from a Greek vase and Russian icon to a Tibetan scroll and Dakotan buffalo robe. Observers will learn from the brief descriptions of the objects and laugh at Knox's wacky send-ups on facing pages. Successful as a stand-alone, it would also be an entertaining prelude to a museum visit.

MICKLETHWAIT, Lucy. A Child's Book of Art. DK. 1999.
PreS-Gr 3–Glorious reproductions from international collections illustrate basic concepts in this art-appreciation primer. Headings such as "Wild Animals" and "Peace" serve as springboards for discussion when matched with the Aboriginal bark painting Kangaroosor Hicks's Peaceable Kingdom. Equally compelling is Claire d'Harcourt's Art Up Close (Chronicle, 2003), which has the added attractions of flaps and details to hunt. In both titles, rich colors, a large format, and exotic creatures beg to be noticed.

PAVLOVA, Anna. I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina. illus. by Edgar Degas. S & S/Atheneum. 2001.
PreS-Gr 3–This inspired creation combines a childhood anecdote from a Russian ballerina's memoirs with Edgar Degas's extraordinary Impressionist dance rehearsals and performances. The result is a breathtaking pas de deux. The eye is transported back and forth from the wistfulness of a young girl's yearnings during a special night at the ballet to the artist's frothy displays of grace and beauty. Art introduction at its very finest.

Surveying the Scene

BANG, Molly. Picture This: How Pictures Work. illus. by author. North-South/SeaStar. 2000.
Gr 7 Up –If Little Red Riding Hood were a small red triangle, what size, shape, and color should her mother be? What about the wolf? What geometry will make him appear menacing and evil? The familiar story is the vehicle for Bang's unique approach to explaining composition using unadorned shapes and carefully chosen colors. An ongoing dialogue with readers concerns choices about these elements, as well as placement, relationship, and size. The conversation follows the changes applied to each scene and the subsequent emotional impact. A challenging blend of psychology and form, just right for adolescents.

BINGHAM, Jane. African Art and Culture. Raintree. 2003.
Gr 5-9 –This book is one of the few for children that attempts to address the art of the entire continent. By necessity, it is a cursory look, but the ample photographs and topical arrangement convey a breadth of artistic expression, from beadwork and masks to headrests and painted houses. History, ethnography, significance, and cross-cultural influences are all part of the discussion.

GIUDICI, Vittorio. The Sistine Chapel. illus. by L. R. Galante. Peter Bedrick. 2000.
Gr 6-10–Using 25 full spreads, Giudici begins with an aerial view of Vatican City, a peek into the chapel's construction, and a tour of the walls. Fascinating illustrations then depict Michelangelo transforming his drawings into ceiling frescoes. From a view of the entire ceiling, the lens zooms in on individual stories, lunettes, sibyls, prophets, and The Last Judgement. The scholarship, clarity, and color are unparalleled.

LAUBER, Patricia. Painters of the Caves. Scholastic. 1998.
Gr 5-9 –Suspense builds as readers follow three researchers inching along on their stomachs into a cavernous space that, when lit, displays 32,000-year-old horses, bears, deer, bison, and a human handprint. Lauber intersperses what is known about life in the Ice and Stone Ages with questions that may never be answered. Marvelous close-ups of the site now called Chauvet spark an immediate recognition of and link to what has gone before.

RICHARDSON, Joy. Looking at Pictures. Abrams. 1997.
Gr 5-8 –While it is not currently in vogue to immerse young people in a formal approach to 15th- to 19th-century portraits, landscapes, still lifes, etc., Richardson's work is top-notch and all the more valuable for its maverick status. Tapping into kids' enjoyment of secrets, codes, hidden objects, and puzzles, she helps them understand composition, perspective, conservation, symbolism, pigments, and surfaces. Loaded with pictures, refreshing in depth.

RUBIN, Susan Goldman. Fireflies in the Dark. Holiday House. 2000.
Gr 7 Up–What does the act of creation mean to the artist? It's an important question, one poignantly raised in this account of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and the children she taught in the concentration camp at Terezin. Collages, sketches, watercolors, embroidered office paper, and a poster for the opera Brundibar illustrate the dreams and realities of the youngsters and testify to their courage, spirit, and the power of art.

Lives of the Artists

DUGGLEBY, John. Story Painter: The Life of Jacob Lawrence. Chronicle. 1998.
Gr 5-8 –Lawrence's striking art, with its bold, flat expanses of color, is used both to illustrate his life and reveal the scope of his work. Clean design and compelling images take the painter from various childhood homes to Harlem in the 30s and beyond.

MUHLBERGER, Richard. What Makes a Bruegel a Bruegel? Viking. 1993.
Gr 5-9–With one chapter for each of 12 paintings, Muhlberger's discussion wends its way through the parables, puzzles, techniques, and minutiae in works ranging from The Fall of Icarus to Children's Games. The author's in-depth progression is a refreshing antidote to the sound-bite parceling of information so prevalent in children's books. Astute explanations address what makes this master unique.

SABBETH, Carol. Monet and the Impressionists for Kids. Chicago Review. 2002.
Gr 6 Up–Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cassatt, Cézanne, Gauguin, and Seraut each captured the essence of the "City of Light" in unique ways. Some worked, radically for the time, en plein air, concerned with the changing look of a scene at different times. Others conveyed the energy or emotions of interior worlds—homes, cafes, theaters. Animated text, a wealth of images, and related activities probe revolutionary lives and approaches.

WELTON, Jude. Henri Matisse. Watts. 2002.
Gr 5-9 –Following the trend of placing biography within a larger historical context, this series entry achieves a readable balance. Sidebars, quotations, maps, paintings, photographs, and a time line illuminate the text, which manages to maintain a continuous thread, despite the distraction of so much discrete information. Visuals and language build a likeness, layer by layer, and in so doing, breathe life into their subject.

Surveying the Scene

ARONSON, Marc. Art Attack: A Short Cultural History of the Avant-Garde. Clarion. 1998.
Gr 9 Up–Aronson's intelligent exploration of the "roiling ferment" characterizing the avant-garde is a gold mine for interdisciplinary studies. His portrayal of the clash between art and the social order opens with reactions to Duchamp's Nude Descending the Stairs and closes wondering whether the movement is dead, posing the possibility that the Internet will yield new rebellions. Recommended period musical selections and film titles introduce each chapter.

CUMMING, Robert. Annotated Art. DK. 1995.
Gr 9 Up–Clarity of detail, brilliant color, and dramatic chiaroscuro are among the elements to be enjoyed in the 45 Western masterpieces presented here. From Giotto's Adoration of the Magi to Picasso's Guernica, Cumming interprets style, technique, symbolism, and composition. Pictures of the artists and brief biographies are included in this introduction to visual literacy.

GUERILLA GIRLS. The Guerilla Girls' Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art. Penguin. 1998.
Gr 9 Up –Edgy, pithy, succinct, and iconoclastic, this title, by the infamous and still anonymous collective of female artists and art professionals, stands in stark contrast to "stale, male, pale, Yale" textbooks. From antiquity to the 20th century, history is deconstructed and re-created to include the previously disenfranchised. Teens will respond to the in-your-face politics and the presence of the signature "gorilla" masks in retouched classics.

LIBERMAN, Alexander. The Artist in His Studio. Random House. 1988.
Gr 10 Up –Liberman's interviews and images reveal the private worlds of artists associated with the School of Paris. This artist-photographer's work provides a record of studios whose inhabitants were deceased, e.g., Cézanne and Monet, as well as those whom he engaged on "the torture of the creative struggle" (Picasso, Chagall, Matisse). One encounters tools, methods, sources of inspiration, relationships—and the power of relentless focus.

MCCLOUD, Scott. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Kitchen Sink Press. 1994.
With the graphic-novel explosion and the Pulitzer Prize status of Art Spiegelman's Maus (Pantheon, 1989), it is becoming increasingly acceptable for adults to acknowledge comics as their first introduction to art. It is fitting, then, to choose this title (in comic-book format) to explain the meaning, mechanics, and history of "sequential art." Pre-Columbian manuscripts, the Bayeux Tapestry, and ancient Egyptian paintings combine with a rich visual vocabulary, bringing the interplay full circle. Action and humor assist this volume in posing scenarios designed to help readers explore the relationship between form and meaning in pictures—wherever they are encountered.

Lives of the Artists

ESCHER, M. C. The Magic of M.C. Escher. Abrams. 2000.
Gr 9 Up –"Perhaps all I pursue is astonishment…" writes this Dutch graphic artist. Prints, etchings, woodcuts, and studies are matched with quotes from Escher's letters, journals, and lectures. His skillful manipulation of positive and negative space and two dimensionality intrigues, leading one to wonder what is foreground/background, ascending/descending, convex/concave, fish/bird. Teens struggling with their own realities will appreciate the absurdities of his.

O'KEEFFE, Georgia. Georgia O'Keeffe. Viking. 1976.
Gr 9 Up –"I write this because such odd things have been done about me with words." So begins this lavish, large-format collection of O'Keeffe's flowers, skyscrapers, scenes of the Southwest, and abstractions, accompanied by her own voice. To peruse her reflections and paintings is to become acquainted with an extremely personal vision, yet one that garners nearly universal appeal. A first stop on the avenue of American icons.