Hobby Horse

Hobby Horse

Robert Peckham, 1840

Companion Card
hobbyhorsefront.pdf

Background

Originally, the couple that bought this painting, bought it from an art dealer and named it themselves. They decided to title it for the large horse toy featured in the foreground, and the title stuck. Upon purchase of this piece, the artist was unknown, and the time period was estimated. However, the style in which it was painted was matched to that of Robert Peckham.

Writing Prompts

Why do you think the artist decided to include the hobby horse in this picture?


If someone was going to paint a picture of you, what object would they include, and why?

Lesson Idea

Content Objective: Students will create an artwork based on a the painting, Hobby Horse.


Language Objective: Students will discuss with their peers the artwork Hobby Horse.


Key Vocabulary: portrait



TEKS: (4.2) - Creative Expression/Performance. The student expresses ideas through original artworks, using a variety of media with appropriate skills. The student

is expected to:

(a) integrate a variety of ideas about self, life events, family, and community in original artworks.


National Standard: 3. Content Standard: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas

Achievement Standard: The Student:

b. select and use subject matter, symbols, and ideas to communicate meaning


Procedure: Have students draw a proportional portrait of a friend or family member. Have students build on the previous lesson of the self-portrait, and use what they learned. Students need to think about what this person is like, what they wear, what they do, etc. Have students draw a prominent feature in their artwork that tells us little about the person they drew. Make sure students think about background, middle ground, and foreground.


References

https://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/hobbyhorseinfo.shtm