Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 34: The Cyclist

by Natalia Goncharova

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

Natalia Goncharova's 'The Cyclist' is an example of Futurism, an art form that features topics such as youth, industrialism, technology, and transportation.

Vocabulary

Cyclist: A person who rides a bicycle.
Futurism: An art form that features topics such as youth, industrialism, technology, and transportation.

Concepts

1. Russian avant-garde artist, Natalia Sergeevna Goncharova, was born in 1881 in Nagaevo, Russian Empire.

2. Zoom in and find Goncharova's country of birth (Russia) on the map of Europe.

3. Goncharova painted, designed costumes and sets, sculpted, and created illustrations.
4. Starting at the age of 20, Goncharova studied sculpture for eight years at Moscow Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.
5. Goncharova became an avant-garde artist, breaking conventions with experimental or unorthodox techniques.
6. Goncharova died in Paris, France in 1962 at the age of 81 after a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

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

• Cyclist
• Bicycle
• Bicycle Pedals
• Bicycle Chain
• Top Hat
• Cup
• Letter R
• Letter T
• Letter H
• Number 402
• Cap

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 44 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The character is a male cyclist.

1 / 4

Question 2

What are the characters doing?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The man rides a bicycle.

2 / 4

Question 3

What is the setting of the painting?

3 / 4

Answer 3

From the background and artistic form, the setting is most likely a city.

3 / 4

Question 4

How does the painting show movement?

4 / 4

Answer 4

The man is upright on the bicycle. The artist used multiple offset images to imply motion or snapshots in time.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The character is a male cyclist.
2. What are the characters doing? The man rides a bicycle.
3. What is the setting of the painting? From the background and artistic form, the setting is most likely a city.
4. How does the painting show movement? The man is upright on the bicycle. The artist used multiple offset images to imply motion or snapshots in time.

References

'Natalia Goncharova.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Natalia Goncharova, 1913, The Cyclist, oil on canvas, 78 x 105 cm, The Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.' Wikimedia Commons. Commons.wikimedia.org. n.p.