Monet: Shadow and Light
From Devine Entertainment Specials · 1999
54 min3rd4th5th6thArtSocial Studies
Summary
A young Claude Monet spends a glorious summer painting outdoors, chasing the way sunlight falls on water, gardens, and sky. When his father and the traditional art critics attack his loose, bright new style, a boy named Daniel helps him hold onto his vision. Monet goes on to help found Impressionism -- an art built on capturing light itself.
Viewer safety
Ages 7+
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
A young painter is mocked for his new style but keeps chasing the way light really looks.
- Monet painted outdoors to catch changing light. How does sunlight change the way a scene looks through the day?
- Critics said his loose, bright paintings looked unfinished. Why do new kinds of art sometimes upset people at first?
- What helped Monet keep going when others made fun of his work?
- If you painted the same tree in morning and evening, what might change between the two pictures?
Quick work-a-long
Words to know: Impressionism, light, outdoors, brushstroke
- Look at how light hits one object right now. Name the brightest part and one spot of shadow.
- Monet trusted his own eyes over the critics. Write one sentence about a time you stuck with your own idea.