Grade 4 students first work of art was inspired by Gustav Klimt.
Gustav Klimt was born in Vienna in 1862. His father was a gold engraver who taught Gustav how to work with gold.
Gustav Klimt, 1862-1918
When Gustav was older he used gold, tiny pieces of colored glass and stones to make images that were inspired by Byzantine Mosaics. This was called his “GOLDEN PHASE”.
Klimt was a part of a group of artists that were tired of traditional art and wanted their art to symbolize something beyond the canvases. They used bright colors, swirling lines and curves.
They called this new style of art ART NOUVEAU. Klimt was famous for his paintings of women. They were both decorative and abstract.
Adele Bloch-Bauer’s Portrait, 1901
Students were then challenged to create their own versions of Klimt’s Tree of Life.
Tree of Life- 1905–1909
They sketched their trees, painted them using gold tempera paint and then added interest with Klimt inspired designs using, black, white and bronze. Finally in true Klimt spirit, students added “gold leaf” to their art work. The results are dazzling!
Listen to their reflections in this movie they created: