We were gifted a big book of paintings from the permanent exhibits at the museum. I sat down with each kid and just looked through the book and asked them to tell me when they saw something that they liked.
(Two Little Circus Girls was a strong favorite of all the girls)
Trip picked bloody and weird paintings, Lucy picked princess looking girls, and Lila picked mostly paintings with babies. Grace had a variety. It was really fun seeing what the children fell in love with. We went back to these paintings a few times in the book so that by the time we went to the Art Institute the kids were excited to go find their well-known favorites.
I was amazed by how many of the painting's names the older kids remembered. It was an exhausting and beautiful day but I hope the kids came back with a sense of the importance of art.
(The kids trying to recreate American Gothic)
Art is also a record of society at a point in history. Art allows us to share emotions and ideas with near and distant points in history. It is one thing to read about the past but another thing to interact with some of the most precious objects of a time.
( This one had the attention of a security guard or two!)
I hope that by experiencing beauty in their childhood that my children will know beauty and seek it in the future. When we encounter beauty-whether in art, music, nature, or in other people- it changes us and expands our humanity.
(I claim these curls as one of my great creations!)
