My sweet little granddaughter is only 2, and already she enjoys the Fine Art Pages on display in our bathroom. Several months ago when she saw this Rubens work: Boy with Bird, she pointed to the curly haired child and said, “Look! It’s me!” She knew her hair was curly and free just like that little child in the portrait.
The other day she was looking at the same piece of art (yes, it’s still up!) and I wondered what she might say about it now, since she has been seeing it for months while visiting us. I asked her if she liked the picture, and she pointed to it, looked at it again, smiled, and said, “Yes. It’s beautiful!” She pointed to the bird and smiled. I wonder what she thinks about a child she identifies with holding a green bird on their finger!
Immediately after she talked about this painting, she turned to the other Rubens work that is near our bathroom sink, and pointed it out, asking, “What’s that?” She was curious. Art is interesting to her. Her curiosity is already sparked, as a two year old.
I feel that she will know this work of art for the rest of her life. She has a relationship with this painting. She identified with it, connected with it, appreciated it.
None of the Rubens works on display are “for young children” or especially aimed for her age group. They simply offer the timeless joy and beauty that all fine art does. I believe that the human soul appreciates and even longs for truth, beauty, and goodness. When we see an inspiring work of art, when our hearts are thrilled by the sound of well-crafted music, when we hear a poem that reaches a part of us that we didn’t know existed, that’s IT. And young children have this in them as well.
Art is a language that can be understood by everyone, without regard for age, education, intelligence, or social status. Let your children feast on a lavish buffet of great art, beautiful music, rich language, and creativity! These things bring an intangible, innate value to each and every person that comes into contact with them, and can be brought into your home life so easily with the resources I’ve created for you at Enrichment Studies! Knowing the difference these things have made in my life and for my family inspires me to keep sharing these things with you.
To get a set of our Fine Art Pages for FREE so you can start using them in your home, click here!
Til next time,
Erica
So true, Erica!
I hung up Christmas and Easter fine art pages over the changing table where I change my toddler’s diaper and he’ll point at it, I’ll tell him about it (“Jesus”, “Mary) and every time after HE’ll be telling me about it ?