Genres of Paintings Painting Genres    

Lesson 1: Landscape - View of Laerdalsøyri

by Themistokles von Eckenbrecher

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 artwork's genre.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

In 'View of Laerdalsøyri, on the Sognefjord,' Themistokles von Eckenbrecher painted a view of Sognefjord, the longest and deepest fjord in Norway. Majestic green mountains stretch up to the clouds and tower over the tiny people below. The red, brown, and white homes of Laerdalsøyri cluster along the far shore of the fjord. A mother and child watch as ladies and gentlemen ride in carriages pulled by trotting horses down a road. Two boats float on the serene surface of the water. A man stands and fishes from one of the boats.

Vocabulary

Fjord: A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs, as in Norway and Iceland, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley.
Carriage: A four-wheeled passenger vehicle pulled by two or more horses.
Trot: Proceed or cause to proceed at a pace faster than a walk, lifting each diagonal pair of legs alternately.
Serene: Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.
Minoan: Relating to or denoting a Bronze Age civilization centered on Crete (c. 3000–1050 BC), its people, or its language.
BCE: Before the Common Era. BCE has the same meaning as BC (Before Christ).
Panoramic: With a wide view.

Concepts

1. Landscape paintings focus on panoramic views of beautiful scenery such as sweeping plains, majestic mountains, green valleys, towering forests, and rushing rivers.
2. People may or may not appear in landscape paintings.
3. Landscape paintings may be based on real places or dreamed up in the imagination of the artist.
4. The first known landscape paintings originated in Minoan Greece around 1500 BCE.
5. There are two major traditions of landscape paintings. One originated in China and the other centered around Europe.
6. In China, landscape paintings were among the most prized and celebrated, while in Europe, landscape paintings were often viewed as inferior to paintings of other genres.
7. See below examples of western (Europe - Italy) and eastern (China) landscapes. To the left, is the landscape, 'The Madonna of the Rabbit,' by Italian painter Titian. To the right, is the landscape, 'A Fisher in Autumn,' by Chinese painter Tang Yin.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Zoom in to find the following in the artwork:

• Fjord
• Laerdalsøyri
• Two Boats
• Bird
• Mother and Child Holding Hands
• Man Fishing
• Men Rowing
• Carriage
• Something Trotting

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

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

Activity 3: Map the Artwork

• Find Norway on the map.
• Point out Norway's many fjords.

Activity 4: Color the Countries of Scandinavia   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 4 of 'Third Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Activity 5: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 5 of 'Third Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The characters are the people of Laerdalsøyri, including those in the boats and on the road.

1 / 5

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The setting is Sognefjord near Laerdalsøyri.

2 / 5

Question 3

What is happening in the artwork?

3 / 5

Answer 3

The people of Laerdalsøyri are out and about, fishing, boating, riding, and walking, enjoying a beautiful day.

3 / 5

Question 4

Into which genre is this painting classified?

4 / 5

Answer 4

This painting falls into the landscape genre.

4 / 5

Question 5

What types of landforms are often featured in landscape paintings?

5 / 5

Answer 5

Typical landforms include plains, fields, forests, mountains, valleys, and rivers.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are the people of Laerdalsøyri, including those in the boats and on the road.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is Sognefjord near Laerdalsøyri.
3. What is happening in the artwork? The people of Laerdalsøyri are out and about, fishing, boating, riding, and walking, enjoying a beautiful day.
4. Into which genre is this painting classified? This painting falls into the landscape genre.
5. What types of landforms are often featured in landscape paintings? Typical landforms include plains, fields, forests, mountains, valleys, and rivers.

References

'Landscape Painting.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.