1a. Study each object in this still life painting. Give at least four examples of different textures that you notice.
1b. How has the artist depicted these textures? How is the paint applied differently?
Pieter Claesz
Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quill, 1628
Oil on wood
9.5 x 14 inches
2a. What has Jeff Koons used to make the unique texture to this sculpture? Why do you believe he used these materials?
2b. Imagine if Koons had used a more traditional material like bronze. What would this do to the texture? Do you think this would improve the sculpture or not? Explain.
Jeff Koons
Puppy, 1992
Flowering plants, steel, wood, and earth
38 feet
Rene Magritte
The Treachery of Images, 1929
Oil on canvas
23 x 31 inches
Andrew Wyeth
Christina's World, 1948
Tempera on panel
32 x 47 inches
3a. How do you think both artists depicted the textures in their paintings? How would you describe these textures?
3b. Which painting do you think uses texture best? Explain.
Detail
Marble blocks
4a. Michelangelo's David, like many sculptures of the time, was made from marble. How would you describe the texture of the original marble compared to the finished David?
Michelangelo
David, 1501-1504
Marble
17 feet
Vincent van Gogh
The Starry Night, 1889
Oil on canvas
29 x 36 inches
Detail
5a. Notice the detail of van Gogh's Starry Night. This thick application of paint, known as impasto, gives the paint itself texture. How do you think van Gogh achieved this effect?
5b. Do you think van Gogh's use of impasto helps the painting? Why might an artist decide to use this technique? Explain your ideas.
Raphael
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, 1508
Oil on canvas
48 x 22 inches
Chuck Close
Fanny/Fingerpainting, 1985
Oil on canvas
8.5 x 7 feet
6a. Compare and contrast the textures of both paintings.
6b. Both artists used blending techniques to achieve different effects. What tools might they have used to maniuplate the paint?
7a. Which textures stand out in this painting? How many of them can you find?
7b. How do you feel looking at this painting? What words would you use to describe the texture?
7c. Do you think Degas' use of textures hurts or helps your overall impression? Why or why not?
Edgar Degas
The Dance Class, 1874
Oil on canvas
32 x 30 inches
Meret Oppenheim
Object, 1936
Fur-covered cup, saucer, and spoon
Claes Oldenburg
Giant BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich), 1963
Vinyl, kapok fibers, painted wood, and wood
32 x 39 x 29 inches
8a. Sometimes artists use alternative textures instead of traditional ones. Describe the textures used in these two artworks.
8b. Imagine if these artists had used traditional media like marble, bronze, or clay. Would that make these artworks more or less interesting to you? Explain your reasons.