Impressionistic Art & Music WebQuest!

An Internet WebQuest on Impressionism

adapted from Art & Music WebQuest created by Krissy Hampshire, Beeghly Library

Introduction | The Task | The Process & Resources | Conclusion |

Introduction

Picture this: you and a team of learners are presented with the task of describing an elephant. But instead of looking to an encyclopedia or a zoo exhibit, you are each blindfolded and guided to a real elephant. Each of you touches a different part of the animal: one, the soft and delicate tip of the elephant's trunk; another, the hard tusk of ivory; and a third, the wrinkled hide around the elephant's belly.

Based upon what each of you learned, one thinks an elephant is smooth and soft, another would say an elephant is smooth and hard, while the last would conclude that elephants are rough and soft. What's the truth? When we study complex topics, we are often like the elephant examiners: there's usually a lot more to a topic that we don't learn about after only a quick exploration.

This is particularly true when we use the Internet for our research because many people post their personal opinions or only know a sliver of the whole story.

The Quest

There is a strong correlation (affect/effect) in various themes and styles which impact on art and music at the same time. In this webquest, you will compare and contrast the similarities and differences in the impressionistic style and how it affected art and music.

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working to answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of your ensemble group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about Impressionism. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.Explore ONE of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to each group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that describes to Mrs. Fritz what you have learned. Some of the answers will be shared at teh concert.

Art

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Art:

1. Define 'impressionism.
2. Who were some of the artists that worked in this style?
3. Describe some of the artworks the artists created.
4. How did the style come into existence?
5. How did the style get its name?
6. What specific artwork gained the style its name, and who did the painting?
7. What was the public's reaction to Impressionism?

Impressionism - The impressionist style of painting is characterized chiefly by concentration on the general impression produced by a scene or object and the use of unmixed primary colors and small strokes to simulate actual reflected light.

Artists

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Artists:

1. What are five facts about Renoir?
2. What are five facts about VanGogh?
3. What are five facts about Monet?
4. What are five facts about Degas?
5. What are five facts about Whistler?
6. Of the following artists (Renoir, VanGogh, Monet, Degas, and Whistler), pick two and compare and contrast their painting style.
7. What subject matter did each of these artists paint?
8. Why is Whistler's Peacock Room famous?

Auguste Renoir - In the 1880s, Renoir, like many of the impressionists, had become dissatisfied with the style's reliance on observation and visual effects and sought an art of more permanent qualities. 'I had wrung impressionism dry,' he later wrote, 'and I finally came to the conclusion that I knew neither how to paint [nor] draw.'
Van Gogh - elcome to The Vincent van Gogh Gallery. For five years now I've worked hard to ensure that this website remains the most thorough and comprehensive Van Gogh resource on the World Wide Web. To the right is a table detailing the contents of the entire site. I'm proud to say that I have the privilege of displaying 100% of Vincent van Gogh's works and letters--a complete, online catalogue raisonnŽ of Van Gogh's oeuvre. As you explore these pages, you'll see the culmination of thousands of hours of work. But that's just the beginning . . . .
Claude Monet - Monet, Claude (1840-1926). French Impressionist painter. He is regarded as the archetypal Impressionist in that his devotion to the ideals of the movement was unwavering throughout his long career, and it is fitting that one of his pictures---Impression: Sunrise (MusŽe Marmottan, Paris; 1872)---gave the group his name.
Edgar Degas - Degas, (Hilaire-Germain-) Edgar (b. July 19, 1834, Paris, Fr.--d. Sept. 27, 1917, Paris) French artist, acknowledged as the master of drawing the human figure in motion. Degas worked in many mediums, preferring pastel to all others. He is perhaps best known for his paintings, drawings, and bronzes of ballerinas and of race horses.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler - A site with information about Whistler, influenced greatly by impressionism AND Japanese art.
The Princess and the Peacocks - Whistler's Peacock Room...

Music

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Music:

1. Define 'impressionism.
2. Who were some of the musicians that worked in this style?
3. Describe some of the compositions the musicians created.
4. How did the style come into existence?
5. How did the style get its name?
6. What similarities and differences do you see/hear between impressionistic art AND music?

Impressionism, in Music - A definition...

Musicians

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Musicians:

1. What are some works written by Debussy?
2. What are some of the works written by Ravel?
3. What do you see when you hear the music of Debussy?
4. What do you see when you hear the music of Ravel?

Claude Debussy - The Musical Impressions - Welcome to the Musical Impressions. These pages are dedicated to Claude-Achille Debussy (1862-1918), a french composer who was the founder and the most important representative of the Impressionist movement in music.
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) - Picture Gallery, List of Works, and a Bibliography on Ravel.

Conclusion

Art and music make great impact on social culture. Move to the present year, explore, research, discover the types of newest artwork and music in your city or town. How do the works of music and art impact on your life? How do they reflect what is taking place in our society?
1. Write Mrs. Fritz a short letter about what you have learned about impressionist art, music, or musicians.

2. It must be at least 1 paragraph with at least 4 sentences.

Make sure your sign your name in order to get credit.

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