PARCOURS DECOUVERTE - Musée des beaux-arts de Rennes

PARCOURS DECOUVERTELA MYTHOLOGIE DE L'OUEST dans l'art américain, 1830-1940b. The landscapeAlbert BierstadtThe Merced River in YosemiteThomas Moran Thomas Moran Thomas MoranGrand Canyon of the Yellowstone / Bridal Veil Fall, Yosemite Valley /An Indian ParadiseUse the phrases bellow, to describe one of the types of landscape from the exhibition.The mountain can dominate the landscapeIt can appear as a back clothIt can be wild and fascinatingIt can be impressiveConsider the light, the vegetation, the human element.Parcours réalisé par Andrée Chapalain, Conseillère-relais, Service éducatif, Musée des beaux-arts de Rennes3. The Indians, the settlers and the cowboysFrederic Remington, The Smoke SignalA true American, he is the most popular of all the illustrators. He worked for « Harper’s weekly »which was, then, the first illustrated magazine in the world.* What are the characters looking at ?* Remember other details you saw in the exhibition and imagine what is happening to the left ofthe painting.4

PARCOURS DECOUVERTELA MYTHOLOGIE DE L'OUEST dans l'art américain, 1830-1940Newell Convers Wyeth, Gunfight* Can you make a sketch of the different characters in the painting (on the first page) ?The figures seem to fit into one another.Newell Convers Wyeth, Song of the Eagle that Mates with the Storm* Pay a particular attention to the colours. Consider the effect of the light.* Watch the painting carefully and imagine the story.5. HuntingParcours réalisé par Andrée Chapalain, Conseillère-relais, Service éducatif, Musée des beaux-arts de RennesCharles Marion RussellSpearing a BuffaloCharles Marion RussellLoops and Swift Horses are Surer than LeadRussel taught himself. He led the harsh life of a cow-boy in the west. He claimed his painting wasnational art. « I can’t see how a Dutch man or a French man can teach how to paint things of myown country ».* What hunting technique is pictured here ?* How can we see that the animals are very strong ?* Why is hunting so dangerous ?* What accidents may happen ?* What type of landscape is shown ?7

PARCOURS DECOUVERTELA MYTHOLOGIE DE L'OUEST dans l'art américain, 1830-19406. Multiple points of viewFrom above, from a distance, from beneath* Make a drawing of the jump of the rider.William Robinson LeighGreased LightningWilliam Robinson LeighPanning Gold, Wyoming* We can’t see the sky, yet, the painting is full of light. Why ?* From the shadow on the ground, can you tell what time it is ?Maynar DixonHogback hill* Can you place another figure of the west (a man or an animal) on the line of the horizon ?Norman Percevel Rockwell, The StagecoachTo what extend does this painting, by the most popular American illustrator, contain the mainingredients of the myth of the west ?Parcours : Andrée Chapalain, Conseillère-relais, MBA-Rennes, Version anglaise : Annie Bertin (Collège Les Ormeaux)Maquette : Carole Marsac, Service éducatif, Musée des beaux-arts de Rennes, février 2008Photographies : Patrick Merret - Mise en ligne : Jean-Charles Subile, Musée des beaux-arts de Rennes7