Talking Points: Artists Inspired by Flora and Fauna
Why do artists look to the natural world for inspiration?
Artists have always found inspiration in the natural world. By looking closely at plants, flowers, animals and insects, they can discover interesting shapes, colours, patterns and textures. Artists might draw what they see or use these details as a starting point to create something new.
Use the images, videos and questions below to explore the different ways artists are inspired by flora and fauna.
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Henri Rousseau
The Repast of the Lion (1907) by Henri Rousseau. Original from The MET Museum.
Find out more about Rousseau on Google Arts & Culture. The painting in this link features nudity, however is nothing offensive. Please check any links before showing children as some may include content you would prefer not to show.
Questions to Ask Children
Describe what you see.
Look at the artwork as a whole – which words would you use to describe the whole piece?
Tell me about the details you like.
How does it make you feel?
Erin Anfinson
Hannah Borger
Amaryllis (1915) by Hannah Borger Overbeck. Original from The Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Questions to Ask Children
Describe what you see.
How do you think she decided how much detail to include or leave out?
Tell me about the details you like.
Jan van Kessel
Butterfly, Caterpillar, Moth, Insects, and Currants (1650-1655) painting in high resolution by Jan van Kessel. Original from The Getty.
See more images by Jan van Kessel here.
Questions to Ask Children
What can you see?
Why do you think he chose these insects and fruits to use in one composition?
Which words would you use to describe the whole piece?
Tell me about the details you like.
What materials has the artist used?
Pierre-Joseph Redouté
Explore blooming flowers and fruit trees like: daffodils, tiger lilies, and plum trees.
Peach from La Botanique de J. J. Rousseau by Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759–1840). Original from the Library of Congress.
See more artwork by Redoute here.
Questions to Ask Children
What do you see?
How has the artist given the image dimension?
Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt
Natural History Ensemble, no. 7 (1596-1610) by Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt. Original from the Rijksmuseum.
Questions to Ask Children
What can you see?
Why do you think he selected these items to use in one composition?
Which words would you use to describe the whole piece?
Tell me about the details you like.
How do the colours make you feel?
This Talking Points Is Used In...
using sketchbooks to make visual notes
Show me what you see
