Art Around the World World Art    

Lesson 35: Vermeulen Street, Pretoria

by Gerard Sekoto

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

Gerard Sekoto's 'Vermeulen Street, Pretoria' shows a busy city street. A corner clothing store, 'AEG Capital Outfitters,' serves as a backdrop for people walking, driving, and bicycling. One woman carries a basket, and another balances a bundle on her head. A man in a long coat rides a bicycle. Sidewalks and green trees line the streets.

Vocabulary

Capital: Excellent. Used to express approval, satisfaction, or delight. (British, dated)
Outfitters: An establishment that sells men's clothing. (British, dated)
Headscarf: A square of fabric worn as a covering for the head, often folded into a triangle and knotted under the chin.

Concepts

1. Gerard Sekoto, South African artist and musician, was born in 1913 in Botshabelo, South Africa. See his self-portrait below.

2. Zoom in and find South Africa, Sekoto's country of birth, on the map of Africa below.

3. Sekoto was a teacher before he moved to Sophiatown to live with relatives and pursue art.
4. Sekoto was the first black artist to sell a painting to the Johannesburg Art Gallery. The gallery awarded him with an honorary doctorate decades later for his artwork.
5. Sekoto left South Africa and moved to Paris, where he worked as a musician and continued painting.
6. Sekoto died in Paris, France in 1993 at the age of 79.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Pretoria
• Outfitters
• Cars
• License Plate
• Bicycle
• Basket
• Head Bundle
• Sidewalk
• Vermeulen Street

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 54 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 the inhabitants of Pretoria who go about their daily lives. Three women and a man are the central focus of the work.

1 / 4

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The setting is Vermeulen Street in the city of Pretoria.

2 / 4

Question 3

What country is Pretoria in?

3 / 4

Answer 3

Pretoria is in the country of South Africa.

3 / 4

Question 4

What continent is Pretoria on?

4 / 4

Answer 4

Pretoria is on the continent of Africa.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are the inhabitants of Pretoria who go about their daily lives. Three women and a man are the central focus of the work.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is Vermeulen Street in the city of Pretoria.
3. What country is Pretoria in? Pretoria is in the country of South Africa.
4. What continent is Pretoria on? Pretoria is on the continent of Africa.

References

'Gerard Sekoto.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.