The Niagara River at the Cataract (ca. 1832) by Gustav Grunewaldde Young museum
Ready for a challenge? Take a close look at these artworks and artifacts to see if you can spot these details.
Ancestral Screen (19th century AD) by Pokia Familyde Young museum
Pattern
Cast your eyes across this wood screen — can you find a pattern? Click here and then use the zoom tool to search, then come back to this story and scroll down for the answer.
There are many examples of patterns in this piece, here’s a repeating pattern of blue and white shapes—like a checkerboard—on the hats of the smaller figures...
...and here are random patterns of color and shape on the decorative border — What kinds of patterns would you like to create?
The Peaceable Kingdom (ca. 1846) by Edward Hicksde Young museum
Texture
Texture is how something feels when you touch it — the artist has included so many textures in this painting — can you find something that would feel soft? Click here to search.
There are many examples of soft texture in this piece. Imagine you could touch this lion’s mane — what other words could you use to describe how it would feel?
How do you think it would feel to touch the leopard’s fur? What different words could you use to describe its texture?
Vessel (8th century AD) by Mayade Young museum
Line
The artist who decorated this Maya cup covered it with detailed pictures using many types of lines - can you find a curly line? Click here to search.
There are several curly lines, this line swirling through the air represents talking — what does it remind you of? Use your finger in the air to create a curly, swirly line.
Gable Mask (20th century) by Torembi Village; Sawos Peoplede Young museum
Symmetry
Symmetry is when one side looks the same as the other - where do you see an example of symmetry in this Gable Mask? Click here to search.
There are many examples of symmetry in this piece, students often talk about these big circles as if they are eyes on a face. Can you see where it’s not symmetrical?
We often encourage students to smile and stick their tongue out when we talk about this piece! But can you see why some children think this face might be crying?
Dancing Figures (4th century BC) by Ancient Colimade Young museum
Movement
What do you see that shows these standing clay figures are dancing? Click here to search.
There are several clues that show us these figures are dancing — hold your arms up and out. The way the arms are held gives us a sense of the dancers’ movement...
...Now bend your knees and turn your feet out — try moving back and forth, can you feel the beat?
