Art Around the World World Art    

Lesson 32: Two Women

by Diego Rivera

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the art region or artist.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Diego Rivera's 'Two Women' depicts a cubist perspective of two well-dressed women with coiffed hair. One woman in white reclines in a chair and holds a book. The other woman in blue stands with her hands folded. Abstract shapes predominate the rest of the painting. Squares, rectangles, triangles, staircases, and other forms can be seen, some shaded to suggest a three-dimensional perspective.

Vocabulary

Cubism: An abstract style of painting that uses geometric shapes and multiple perspectives.
Coif: Style or arrange someone's hair, typically in an elaborate way.
Recline: Lean or lie back in a relaxed position with the back supported.
Abstract: Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.
Three-dimensional: Having or appearing to have length, breadth, and depth.

Concepts

1. Mexican painter Robert Diego Rivera was born in 1886 in Guanajuato, Mexico. See his picture below.

2. Zoom in and find Mexico, Rivera's country of birth, on the map below.

3. Rivera was born to a wealthy family.
4. When his parents caught him drawing on the walls at age three, they encouraged him to keep drawing by covering the walls in canvas and chalkboard.
5. At age ten, Rivera studied art in Mexico City at the Academy of San Carlos. As an adult, he studied art in Europe.
6. Rivera was married five times, twice to fellow artist Frida Kahlo.
7. Rivera died in 1957 at the age of 70 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Woman in White
• Woman in Blue
• Reclining Woman
• Coiffed Hair
• Folded Hands
• Crossed Ankles
• Book
• Staircase Shapes
• Triangle Shapes
• Square Shapes
• Rectangle Shapes

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

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

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the new words, point out any you see in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 49 of 'Art History Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The characters are two well-dressed women with coiffed hair.

1 / 4

Question 2

What are the characters doing?

2 / 4

Answer 2

One woman reclines and holds a book. The other stands with her hands clasped together.

2 / 4

Question 3

What is the setting of the artwork?

3 / 4

Answer 3

The setting is unknown due to the abstract nature of the work. The chair and book suggest a protected, indoor setting, but outdoors on a patio would be another possibility.

3 / 4

Question 4

What is the name of the painting style of 'Two Women?'

4 / 4

Answer 4

The painting style of 'Two Women' is cubism.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are two well-dressed women with coiffed hair.
2. What are the characters doing? One woman reclines and holds a book. The other stands with her hands clasped together.
3. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is unknown due to the abstract nature of the work. The chair and book suggest a protected, indoor setting, but outdoors on a patio would be another possibility.
4. What is the name of the painting style of 'Two Women?' The painting style of 'Two Women' is cubism.

References

'Diego Rivera.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Cubism.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.