START WITH ART: Portrait of a Woman Aged Sixty-Eight

We START WITH ART each morning with our kids (Jenna's kids are 7 and 10, Janet's is also 10). This takes us less than five minutes each morning and tends to be re-visited later in the day at the dinner table or during our evening reading sessions. We find this little exercise each morning ignites creativity and sparks critical thinking. 

Here's how to #STARTWITHART:

Step one: Take a look at the artwork below

Step two: Read the questions below the picture of the art to the students/children in your life

Step three: See how starting your day with art can ignite creativity and critical thinking! 

It's that easy! Let's START WITH ART!

Title: Portrait of a Woman Aged Sixty-Eight

Artist: Maarten de Vos

Date: 1569

Medium: Oil on panel

Dimensions: 37.1 × 31.5 cm

Start with Art Questions:

• Look closely at the woman’s face. How do you think the artist used light and shadow to show her age and the details of her expression?

• How do these details in the painting help you understand her personality or social status?

• Imagine if this portrait was painted today. How might the artist use different colors or techniques to show what this woman is like in the modern world?

Add our START WITH ART calendar to yours by clicking here then click "add." Share how you're folding this into your daily routine by tagging us on Instagram @pageofarthistory and/or the tag #startwithart 🖼️