Use this fast-paced game to explore Vincent van Gogh’s art and how he followed, and eventually led, different styles of contemporary art.

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Vincent van Gogh found his calling in extolling life’s nobility and beauty, initially as a preacher and later as an artist. His deep convictions and self-sacrifice led him down a unique path. Despite being dismissed by many of his contemporaries, his artistic style would go on to inspire future generations.

Historical events and trends

• The idealized realism of the Hague school (aka the Gray School)
• Japanese woodblock prints influence art in Europe
• Impressionism flowers
• Expressionism takes root

Visual literacy skills you will practice

• Identify how color evokes certain emotions
• Differentiate between real and suggestive colors
• Appreciate the expressive potential of brushstrokes.
• Read the symbolism in common objects
• Recognize a media’s inherent qualities
• Interpret an artist’s interests and outlook
• Track an artist’s artistic development

Related resources

• Visit the fantastic Van Gogh Museum for a wealth of art and teacher resources.
• This animated timeline vividly displays Vincent van Gogh’s artistic progression.
• This interactive Look and Learn gallery walk explores the roots of The Starry Night and how the painting inspired ekphrastic poetry and music — includes links to online biographies and samples of ekphrastic writing.
• This interdisciplinary teacher’s resource offers a range of teaching moves and language for analyzing The Starry Night.
• This writing lesson uses The Starry Night to teach ekphrastic writing — includes links to related online resources.