Western Art Movements II Art Movements    

Lesson 22: Rayonism - Red Rayonism (1913)

by Mikhail Larionov

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's movement.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Russian avant-garde artist Mikhail Larionov created the rayonist painting, 'Red Rayonism,' in 1913. This work features intersecting sharp, triangular shards of color in shades of red, yellow, and orange. Interestingly, Larionov and Natalia Goncharova (featured in the prior lesson) were partners in life as well as in creating rayonist art.

Vocabulary

Rayonism: An early 20th century avant-garde art movement that sought to show objects not as they appeared, but as the rays of light reflecting off the objects.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Rayonism
2. Peak Prevalence - 1909-1914

Movement Characteristics:

1. Represented objects as the light reflecting off them
2. Dynamic and contrasting use of color
3. Crossing lines
4. Note the rays of light, contrasting colors, and crossing lines in Natalia Goncharova's rayonist 'Electric Lamp' (1913)

Common Coinciding Genres:

1. Landscapes - 'Green Forest' (1911) by Natalia Goncharova

2. Animal Art - 'Rooster and Hen' (1910) by Mikhail Larionov

3. Still Lifes - 'Rayonist Sausages and Mackerel' (1912) by Mikhail Larionov

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Ray of Light
• Crossing Rays of Light
• Rays Making Triangular Shapes
• Yellows
• Oranges
• Reds

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

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

Activity 3: Map the Artwork

• Zoom in and find Larionov's country of birth (Russia) on the map.

Activity 4: Classify the Artwork

• This artwork belongs to the rayonism art movement.
• Find rayonism on the timeline.
• During which approximate years did rayonism flourish?
• Which art movement followed rayonism?

Activity 5: Recreate/Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 25 of 'Fifth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

What is rayonism?

1 / 5

Answer 1

Rayonism is an early 20th century avant-garde art movement that sought to show objects not as they appeared, but as the rays of light reflecting off the objects.

1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the artwork?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The artwork depicts a red, yellow, and orange rays of light.

2 / 5

Question 3

To which western art movement does this painting belong?

3 / 5

Answer 3

This painting belongs to the rayonism art movement.

3 / 5

Question 4

How does the artwork serve as an example of rayonism?

4 / 5

Answer 4

The painting shows the reflection of light off objects versus the objects themselves as characteristic of rayonism.

4 / 5

Question 5

During which century was this artwork created?

5 / 5

Answer 5

This artwork was created in the early 20th century (1913).

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. What is rayonism? Rayonism is an early 20th century avant-garde art movement that sought to show objects not as they appeared, but as the rays of light reflecting off the objects.
2. What happens in the artwork? The artwork depicts a red, yellow, and orange rays of light.
3. To which western art movement does this painting belong? This painting belongs to the rayonism art movement.
4. How does the artwork serve as an example of rayonism? The painting shows the reflection of light off objects versus the objects themselves as characteristic of rayonism.
5. During which century was this artwork created? This artwork was created in the early 20th century (1913).

References

'Rayonism.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Mikhail Larionov.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.