Explore More at Home: Masterpiece Monday

Explore More is currently closed but that doesn’t mean we can’t help our museum friends discover, create, imagine and play! That’s why we’ve decided to stay connected and pass along fun ideas so you can EXPLORE MORE AT HOME! We’ll be sending out messages on social media each day and then posting everything here so you can check it out whenever you’d like.

We’d love to see how you are exploring at home! Just snap a pic and post it on our FB or Instagram accounts and tag #ExploreMoreAtHome. Be on the lookout for ongoing suggestions for D-I-Y creative play and plenty of parenting support, too.

MASTERPIECE MONDAY - Meet the Artist

Claude Monet was born November 14, 1840.  He was a French painter and was one of the founders of  the French Impressionism and one of the best known and loved painters of his era. Use the activities and links below to Explore More at Home about Claude Monet!

Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge--1897-1899

Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge--1897-1899

Claude Monet Self Portrait--1886

Claude Monet Self Portrait--1886


SCIENCE

How was Monet kind of like a honeybee?  This video explores how his vision problems gave Monet a unique “eye” for art.

Monet once said, “I must have flowers, always, always, always!”  This project uses the science of chromatography to create beautiful paper flowers so you can also always have flowers!


GET OUTSIDE

Monet and other impressionists loved painting “En Plein Air”-- meaning painting outside to capture landscapes in their natural light.  Follow the directions here and head outside to paint!


WATCH AND LEARN

Join Katie as she enters the world of Monet’s paintings in this read aloud of “Katie and the Waterlily Pond.”

Take a leisurely stroll through Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, France as you follow along with this video tour of his property.


CREATE

Now it’s your turn to be an impressionist artist!  Try these projects.

Watercolor and Salt Lily Pond Painting

3D Water Lily Craft

Japanese Bridge Painting

Impermanent Art Project

Crayon Resist Art


TAKE A TOUR

The National Gallery located in Washington DC has many on-line resources so you can learn more about Claude Monet!

Explore Monet’s Water Lily murals housed at the Musee de l’Orangerie in Paris through this virtual exhibit and tour.