Adventures in Art History Art Adventures    

Lesson 21: Flowering Plum Tree

by Vincent van Gogh

Directions

Study the painting for one week.

Over the week:

• Look at the painting.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the artist.
• Practice reciting the names of the artist and the painting.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Japonaiserie is the term Vincent van Gogh used to express the influence of Japanese artwork. Van Gogh collected hundreds of Japanese wood-block prints called ukiyo-e prints. 'Flowering Plum Tree' is based on a Japanese wood-block print by artist Hiroshige. The painting shows a flowering plum tree in an orchard. In the background, we see figures milling beyond a black fence. Because plum trees bloom amid winter to herald the upcoming spring, plum blossoms represent strength and endurance. The Japanese-looking characters framing the artwork are purely decorative and mean nothing.

Vocabulary

Japan: An island country in East Asia.
Japanese: Relating to Japan or its language, culture, or people.
Plum: An oval fleshy fruit that is purple, reddish, or yellow when ripe.
Orchard: A piece of land planted with fruit trees.
Blossom: A flower or a mass of flowers on a tree or bush.
Endurance: The capacity of something to last or to withstand wear and tear.
Decorative: Serving to make something look more attractive.

Concepts

Vincent van Gogh painted 'Flowering Plum Tree.'

1. Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands. See his picture below.

2. Find Van Gogh's country of birth on the map of Europe below.

3. Van Gogh mostly taught himself how to paint. Van Gogh stated, 'Painters understand nature and love it, and teach us to see.'
4. Although he is famous now and his works are worth millions of dollars, he was poor and unknown while alive. Van Gogh had a tough time in life. He suffered from mental illness and spent time in an asylum.
5. Van Gogh is reputed to have cut off his own ear, although some historians now believe he might have lied to protect his friend and fellow artist, Paul Gauguin, who may have cut Van Gogh's ear off with a sword during an argument.
6. Van Gogh died in 1890 at the age of 37 in Auvers-sur-Oise, France.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

During the week, study the painting and find the following:

• Trees
• Trunks
• Blossoms
• Fence
• People
• Buildings
• Japanese-like Characters

Activity 2: Narrate the Painting

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

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the vocabulary words, point them out in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 28 of 'Kindergarten Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

What is the setting of the painting?

1 / 3

Answer 1

Outside in an orchard.

1 / 3

Question 2

What type of trees did Van Gogh feature in the painting?

2 / 3

Answer 2

Plum trees.

2 / 3

Question 3

Which season does the painting feature?

3 / 3

Answer 3

Winter, because plum trees bloom amid winter to herald the upcoming spring.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the setting of the painting? Outside in an orchard.
2. What type of trees did Van Gogh feature in the painting? Plum trees.
3. Which season does the painting feature? Winter, because plum trees bloom amid winter to herald the upcoming spring.

References

'Vincent van Gogh.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.