Dress-up to the Olde Masters

For Pre-school level and up
Children of any age love an excuse to wear costumes, so wearing an outfit like in a famous painting makes dressing up both educational as well as enjoyable. To find this lesson, click here for Valerie's Lesson.

Revised lesson Submitted by MaryAnn Kohl
Fine Art Scene, inspired by Valerie Kerwin

Dress-up and pose to imitate a scene from a great painting. You might want to contact a local theater company for accessories for costuming.

Materials:

fine art print, with a subject of people and scenery
very large sheets of cardboard
large butcher paper, assorted colors
paint and paintbrushes
scissors
glue, tape, stapler
choices of costumes, dress-up clothing, props
camera

1. Look closely at a painting that includes people or characters.
2. Note what is included in the background scenery of the painting. On a very large sheet of cardboard, paint a life-sized approximation of the painting's background scenery. Exact details are not necessary; simple colors and shapes will do. Then let the scenery dry. Option: Skip the background scenery, and stand in front of a blank wall or bed sheet.
3. Meanwhile, dress in costumes and props to imitate the appearance of the characters in the painting.
4. Stand the scenery against a wall. Pose together in front of the scenery, copying the position, posture, and facial expression as in the original painting.
   Note: Someone should capture a picture, on film or digital. When the picture is ready, compare it to the original painting.
   Art Show: Setting up these scenes as part of an art show is always a big hit with parents and friends.

Ideas for costumes and scenery -

• Create an album of photographed fine art scenes with posed, costumed characters.
• Change the poses of the characters to depict other story possibilities. Think up poses that are not in the original painting to assume. Invent dialogue.
• Work up a series of scenes and poses that the characters in the painting can act out that will tell a story.
• Parody - change scene to bring it into 20th century. Example: Eating subs at the last supper - or other fast food. The cards of the Card Players become Game Boy and so forth.

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