Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 34: Post-Impressionism - Prisoners Exercising (1890)

by Vincent van Gogh

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 movement.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Vincent van Gogh created the Post-Impressionist 'Prisoners Exercising' in 1890. Van Gogh painted these trapped prisoners while caged himself in the Saint-Paul Asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. Van Gogh based this painting off Gustave Dore's print of Newgate Prison in London, England. The painting shows unhappy prisoners marching in a circle for exercise, watched by prison guards and surrounded by high walls. Two white birds flutter overhead, perhaps symbolizing the hope for future freedom.

Vocabulary

Asylum: A place of protection or restraint for one or more classes of the disadvantaged, especially the mentally ill.
Prison: A place or institution of confinement, especially of long-term confinement for those convicted of serious crimes or otherwise considered undesirable by the government.
Prisoner: 1) A person incarcerated in a prison, while on trial, or serving a sentence. 2) Any person held against their will.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Post-Impressionism
2. Timeline - approximately 1880s-1905

Post-Impressionism Characteristics and Subjects:

1. More Paintings in Studios ('Still Life with Three Puppies' by Paul Gauguin in 1888)

2. Vivid, Sometimes Unnatural Use of Color ('Yellow Christ' by Paul Gauguin in 1889)

3. Defined Geometric Forms ('Bedroom in Arles' by Vincent van Gogh in 1888)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Prisoners
• White Birds
• High Walls
• Unreachable Windows
• Prison Officials
• Someone Exercising
• Someone Guarding
• Something Imprisoned
• Something That May Represent Hope and Freedom

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

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

Activity 3: Classify the Artwork

• This artwork belongs to the Post-Impressionist art movement.
• Find Post-Impressionism on the timeline.
• During which (estimated) years did Post-Impressionism flourish?
• Which art movement preceded Post-Impressionism?

Activity 4: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 37 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The characters are prisoners and their guards.

1 / 5

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The setting is Newgate Prison in London, England.

2 / 5

Question 3

To which western art movement does this painting belong?

3 / 5

Answer 3

This painting belongs to the Post-Impressionist art movement.

3 / 5

Question 4

How is this painting reflective of Post-Impressionism?

4 / 5

Answer 4

This work was constructed using well-defined forms and features everyday life.

4 / 5

Question 5

During which century was this artwork created?

5 / 5

Answer 5

Van Gogh painted this artwork in the 19th century.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are prisoners and their guards.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is Newgate Prison in London, England.
3. To which western art movement does this painting belong? This painting belongs to the Post-Impressionist art movement.
4. How is this painting reflective of Post-Impressionism? This work was constructed using well-defined forms and features everyday life.
5. During which century was this artwork created? Van Gogh painted this artwork in the 19th century.

References

'Prisoners Exercising, 1890 by Vincent Van Gogh.' Vincent Van Gogh - Drawings, Paintings, Quotes, and Biography. www.vincentvangogh.org/prisoners-exercising.jsp. n.p.

'Post-Impressionism.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.