START WITH ART: Mona Lisa - Missing!

Starting your day with art can be a transformative experience for both children and adults alike. Engaging with artwork not only stimulates creativity but also fosters critical thinking skills. Here’s how you can incorporate this enriching practice into your daily routine. 

Step 1: Observe the Artwork Pictured in this Blog Post!

Begin each morning by examining a piece of art. This could be a painting, sculpture, or any other form of visual art. Take a moment to really look at the details, colors, and emotions conveyed in the piece. We’ve curated art for you on this Google calender! 

Step 2: Engage with Thought-Provoking Questions

Once you’ve taken a good look at the artwork, ask the children in your life some guiding questions. We’ve listed some below the artwork here on this blog post.

These questions encourage children to articulate their thoughts and feelings about what they see, promoting dialogue and deeper understanding.

Step 3: Ignite Creativity and Critical Thinking

By starting your day with art, you set a tone of curiosity and exploration. This practice can lead to discussions later in the day, whether at the dinner table or during evening reading sessions. Children will have had time to reflect on the artwork and may come back with new insights or creative ideas inspired by their morning experience.

Let’s START WITH ART!

Title: Mona Lisa

Artist: Leonardo da Vinci

Date: c. 1503–1506, perhaps continuing until c. 1517

Medium: Oil on poplar panel

Dimensions: 77 × 53 cm

Start with Art Questions: 

• What do you think Mona Lisa is thinking about? Her smile is mysterious—what story do you imagine behind it? 

• Why do you think Leonardo da Vinci painted her in such soft, gentle colors? How do the colors make you feel when you look at the painting?

• What do you see in the background? Where is she? If you could add something to the background of the Mona Lisa, what would it be and why? Mountains? Castles? Dinosaurs? Let your imagination run wild!

The Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre on August 21, 1911. Check out this video from the Louvre about the theft! 

Searching for more? Download our Missing Mona Lisa coloring pages! 

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 🖼️
 

Are you coloring with us? Journey through the timeline of art history through coloring pages and facts with a Page of Art History membership. Access the Page Packs via our online portal that also contains additional learning resources. Or, purchase the coloring books on Amazon!

We can’t wait to see how you color the pages of Art History!