Under wood

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I'm so excited to show you a really cool painting today! It's called "Underwood," and it's by a famous French artist named Henri Harpignies. Have you ever heard of France? It's a beautiful country! nn (Pause for children's responses) nn Now, this painting is tiny! It's only this big (gesture to indicate a small size). But even though it's small, it's super powerful. It shows us a forest, but not in a super detailed way. It's more like a feeling of a forest. nn (Pause for children's responses) nn Look at the colors. Do you see the greens and browns? They're kind of dark and mysterious, aren't they? It looks like it might be early morning or late evening in the forest. What do you think it feels like in this forest? Is it sunny and bright, or dark and quiet? nn (Pause for children's responses) nn The artist didn't paint every single leaf and branch. He just used his brush to suggest the shapes of the trees and bushes. It's like he's showing us a secret glimpse of the forest. Can you imagine being in this forest? What sounds might you hear? nn (Pause for children's responses) nn There aren't any people in this painting. It's just the trees and the light. But that's what makes it so special. It's all about the feeling of peace and quiet. It makes you want to sit down and just be quiet, doesn't it? nn (Pause for children's responses) nn See those little cracks in the paint? That's because the painting is very old! It's been around for a long, long time. It shows us that nature and art can last a very long time. Isn't that amazing? nn (Pause for children's responses) nn So, "Underwood" isn't just a picture of a forest. It's a feeling, a moment of peace. It's a reminder to appreciate the beauty of nature and the magic of art. What did you like best about this painting? nn (Pause for children's responses) nn I hope you enjoyed learning about "Underwood"! Now let's go see some more amazing art!