A Charlotte Mason Picture Study Lesson

A Charlotte Mason Picture Study Lesson 

WHAT

“The six-year-old child should begin both to express himself and to appreciate, and his appreciation (of art) should be well in advance of his power to express what he sees or imagines.” (Mason, vol. 1)

First of all, while a young child may not be able to create a masterpiece of art, he is capable of appreciating the beauty found in art and picture study.

WHAT WE ARE USING

We are using art print sets from Riverbend Press because they are beautiful, a complete set, and affordable. I choose one artist per term, so I have three artists for the whole year.

ARTISTS

• Winslow Homer
• John Constable
• Sandro Botticelli

BIOGRAPHIES

• Botticelli, A Biography by Elizabeth Ripley OR HERE it is for free on Archive.org.
• Winslow Homer: A Biography by Elizabeth Ripley

WHEN

Charlotte Mason describes the Picture Study Lesson as occurring one time a week. Also, each lesson lasts about 10 minutes.

WHY

“We cannot measure the influence that one or another artist has upon the child’s sense of beauty, upon his power of seeing, as in a picture, the common sights of life; he is enriched more than we know in having really looked at even a single picture.” (Mason, vol. 1)

First, the A Delectable Education ladies mention art is beautiful. Since Charlotte Mason believed education should provide beauty, art helps fit in as an important piece of the puzzle.

“There are always those present with us whom God whispers in the ear, through whom He sends a direct message to the rest. Among these messengers are the great painters who interpret to us some of the meanings of life. To read their messages aright is a thing due from us.” (Mason, vol. 4)

Also, art focuses attention and allows observation of details. These two skills help serve all of the other subjects. Therefore, art study is essential.

HOW

“When children have begun regular lessons (that is, as soon as they are six), this sort of study of pictures should not be left to chance, but they should take one artist after another, term by term, and study quietly some half-dozen reproductions of his work in the course of a term.” (Mason, vol. 1)

Six pictures, done by one artist, are studied per term. Therefore, there are three artists studied per year.

A Charlotte Mason Picture Studies Lesson

1. First, the child looks at the picture for a few minutes. If this is the first picture observed by this author, a brief biography can be given by the artist as a means of introduction.
2. Second, the child should try to see the picture in their mind fully and in detail.
3. Then, Mama flips the picture over.
4. Next, ask the child what he saw. This is essentially narration for Picture Study.
5. Then, as an option, Charlotte Mason Poetry notes of Lessons suggest: ask the children questions concerning the season, time of day, river and chief features.
6. Finally, ask them what they think is the story of the picture. Show that every artist has an idea which he wishes to be interpreted.

“As in a worthy book we leave the author to tell his own tale, so do we trust a picture to tell its tale through the medium the artist gave it.” (Mason, vol. 6)

It is enough, more than enough really, for the child to do the work. It is not necessary for Mama to do a big lecture. When the child observes the beautiful art print, and tries to see it fully, it becomes his own.

FAVORITE RESOURCES

Finally, I have come across some outstanding resources in learning about a Charlotte Mason education. I’m so happy to share them with you! Some of these are sources I return to daily because I’m preparing to teach my children. Additionally, I list specific resources for a Charlotte Mason Picture Study Lesson.

GENERAL CHARLOTTE MASON RESOURCES

• A Charlotte Mason Soiree Educator Courses (free and amazing!)
• A Charlotte Mason Soiree Facebook Support/Discussion Group
• Charlotte Mason’s Home Education Volume 1
• Charlotte Mason’s Parents and Children Volume 2
• Charlotte Mason’s School Education Volume 3
• A Delectable Education Scheduling Cards
• Another Delectable Education Curriculum Templates

CHARLOTTE MASON PICTURE STUDY LESSON RESOURCES

• A Delectable Education Podcast on Picture Study
• Riverbend Press Artist Print Sets 
• Simply Charlotte Mason Artist Print Sets
• Elizabeth Ripley Artist Biographies for Young Children
• Volume 1 Home Education by Charlotte Mason (pgs. 307-312)
• Exploring Nature Curriculum with Children – A Nature Topic for each week, based on a Charlotte Mason education. Each week, she includes lovely works of art, so I wanted to include it here! (HINT: If you click on this link, make sure you click “Preview” to check out the curriculum!)

OUR PICKS