Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 1: Woman with a Hat

by Henri Matisse

Directions

Study the painting for one week.

Over the week:

• Look at the painting.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the artist.
• Practice reciting the names of the artist and the painting.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

In 'Woman with a Hat,' Henri Matisse painted his wife, Amelie. Amelie wears a brightly colored hat and dress, but her mouth is downturned. She holds a small fan in her gloved hand. This painting is an example of Fauvism, a style that incorporates vivid, unnatural colors. Examine the painting to see how Matisse shaded Amelie's face with brushstrokes of turquoise.

Vocabulary

Fauvism: A style of painting with vivid, unnatural colors.
Downturned: Curved downward.
Turquoise: A green-blue color.

Concepts

1. Henri Matisse was born in 1869 in France.

2. Zoom in and find Matisse's country of birth on the map of Europe.

3. Matisse was an important figure in modern art. Modern art embraces breaking with tradition and experimenting with new techniques.
4. Matisse experimented with bright, unnatural colors in a style called Fauvism. His works shocked people at the time they were released.
5. Matisse died in 1954 at the age of 84.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

During the week, study the painting and find the following:

• Hat
• Face
• Eyes
• Nose
• Eyebrows
• Chin
• Cheeks
• Dress
• Glove
• Fan
• The color turquoise
• Something that is downturned

Activity 2: Narrate the Painting

• After studying the painting, narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the vocabulary words, point them out in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Recreate the Painting - Make a Fan and Pose

One day this week, recreate the painting.

Make and decorate your own fan by folding a piece of paper.

• Get a piece of printer paper or construction paper. Color or decorate it if you wish.
• Fold the bottom of the paper up around 1 inch.
• Flip the paper over.
• Again, fold the bottom of the paper up around 1 inch. This will include the first fold you made.
• Repeat flipping and folding until you reach the top of the paper.
• To create a handle, crease the paper around two inches from the bottom.

Put on a hat and gloves, hold the fan, and pose like the woman in the painting.

Activity 5: Color the Artist   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 4 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Activity 6: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 5 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The sole character is a woman wearing a hat.

1 / 4

Question 2

What does the woman wear in the painting?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The woman wears a big, bright hat, a fancy dress, and gloves.

2 / 4

Question 3

What does the woman hold in the painting?

3 / 4

Answer 3

The woman holds a fan.

3 / 4

Question 4

Why is this painting an example of Fauvism?

4 / 4

Answer 4

Matisse used bright and unnatural colors for the painting. For example, Matisse used turquoise to shade the woman's face.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The sole character is a woman wearing a hat.
2. What does the woman wear in the painting? The woman wears a big, bright hat, a fancy dress, and gloves.
3. What does the woman hold in the painting? The woman holds a fan.
4. Why is this painting an example of Fauvism? Matisse used bright and unnatural colors for the painting. For example, Matisse used turquoise to shade the woman's face.

References

'Henri Matisse.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Woman with a Hat.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.