START WITH ART: The Fighting Capercaillies

Good morning! We begin each day by examining a piece of art from history. Today’s artwork is pictured below. Take a look, then read the questions to the students/children in your life and watch how starting the day with art can ignite creativity and critical thinking!

Title: The Fighting Capercaillies

Artist: Ferdinand von Wright

Date:1886

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 124 x 188.5 cm

Start with Art Questions:

• What animals do you see in Ferdinand von Wright's painting "The Fighting Capercaillies"? 

• Why do you think the capercaillies are fighting? Birds often have reasons for their behavior. What do you think might be the reason these capercaillies are fighting? Is it to establish dominance or territory, or is there another reason?

• If you could give a voice to one of the capercaillies in the painting, what do you think they would be saying to each other? Use your imagination! If the capercaillies could talk, what might they be saying to each other during their fight? How would they express their feelings?

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