A Seated Peasant

My name is Isabella, and I'll be your guide today! We're going to look at a very special painting by an artist named Paul Cézanne. It's called A Seated Peasant, and it's right here in the Hiroshima Museum of Art. nn (Pause for children to look at the painting.) nn Isn't it interesting? This painting is from a long time ago, 1897! That's almost 130 years ago! Can anyone guess how old that is? It's older than your grandparents, maybe even your great-grandparents! nn (Pause for children to respond.) nn Now, look closely at the man in the painting. He's sitting down, right? What do you think he's wearing? Yes, he's wearing a dark coat and a hat. Can you see his shirt underneath? It's a lighter color. He looks very quiet and peaceful, doesn't he? nn (Pause for children to observe and respond.) nn The artist, Cézanne, didn't paint everything perfectly like a photograph. See how the background is a little blurry? It's not super clear, is it? That's because Cézanne wanted us to focus on the man. He wanted to show us how the man looks and feels. What do you think the man is feeling? Is he happy? Sad? Tired? nn (Pause for children to respond and share their thoughts.) nn Look closely at the way the paint is put on the canvas. Do you see the brushstrokes? They're not smooth, are they? They're kind of bumpy and textured. Cézanne used lots of different colors of brown and gray to make the man look real. It's like he built the man up with paint, layer by layer. nn (Pause for children to observe the brushstrokes.) nn This painting isn't just a picture of a man. It's about showing how a person looks and feels. It's about the shape of the man and the way the light falls on him. Cézanne was interested in showing the simple things in life, like this peasant man. He wanted to show us that even simple things can be beautiful and important. nn (Pause for children to reflect.) nn So, next time you see a painting, remember to look closely. Look at the colors, the shapes, and the way the artist used the paint. You might discover something amazing! What did you like best about this painting? nn (Pause for children to share their opinions.) nn Thank you for joining me today! I hope you enjoyed learning about Paul Cézanne and A Seated Peasant. Remember to keep looking at art and asking questions! It's a wonderful way to learn and grow.