The Astronomer, Johannes Vermeer, 1668

Vermeer was a dutch painter only 36 of whose paintings have survived- this is probably a portrait of Leeuwenhoek, the first scientist working with microscopes – also Dutch. It was stolen by the Nazi’s during WWII, but returned to the Jewish Rothschild banking family after the war. This painting has …

Nighthawks, Edwin Hopper, 1942

In slang a “nighthawk” is an insomniac or a person who naturally prefers the night. The picture is said to represent the loneliness of the city. The actual “nighthawk” is a bird that hunts at night. Shows like “the Simpsons” and various movies have set up a scene like this …

The Dance Class, Edgar Degas, 1874

Degas frequently painted and sculpted ballet dancers. The man in the painting is a famous ballet master teacher. Taking lessons. Write about lessons you have taken – music, dance, skiing, skating, bike riding, even Kumon – any lessons taught by someone other than your parents. Write about outfits and costumes …

The Scream, Edvard Munsch

Munsch described his painting as a “scream of nature”.  What environmental issue do you personally address, and what would you like to see addressed? Largely as a result of The Scream Munsch is one of the most famous of modern painters. If you could have your wish what things would …

The Milkmaid, Johannes Vermeer

Milk and Me – stories of products from milk that I like ad don’t like (milk, cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice-cream, etc. Bread and Me – my favourite sandwiches making my own sandwiches, baking bread, types of bread I have tried, etc. Behind her on the floor is a …

David, Lorenzo Bernini

David is holding a slingshot.  Write stories of weapons you have had or played with – toy guns, bows and arrows, toy rifle, toy sword, space weapon, etc. David is a young shepherd facing a giant with sword. Write about being brave. What do you think bravery is?  Give some …

Time Transfixed, Rene Magritte

Stories of trains and other vehicles and you. (toy trains, remote control cars, super cars, racing cars, etc.) Everything you know about clocks (history, types, time zones, alarms, how you keep time yourself) Being on Time. Sometimes time seems to stand still, sometimes it races, sometimes you are late, sometimes …