Estorick Collection Education Resource Primary Schools 1
Contents The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art The History of the Collection 4 Eric and Salome Estorick 4 The Building 4 Activities for Primary Schools Free Talks 4 Workshops 4 - Portraiture 5 - Landscape and Cityscape 5 - Materials in Art and Sculpture 6 - Objects and Meaning 6 - Action and Movement 7 The Painting Styles and Painters in the Collection Divisionism 8 Futurism 8 Metaphysical School and Giorgio Morandi 9 Amedo Modigliani, Renato Guttuso, Zoran Music and Massimo Campigli 9 Sculptors 10 Planning Your Visit 11 Gallery Information 12 2
The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art The History of the Collection The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art brings together some of the finest and most important works created by Italian artists during the first half of the twentieth century. Named after the American writer and sociologist Eric Estorick who began to collect works of art with his wife Salome after the Second World War, the Estorick Collection is Britain s only museum devoted to twentieth-century Italian art. It includes paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints which reflect and respond to movements, major events, and the changing society of modern Italy. The gallery presents changing displays from its collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures. Aspects of the permanent collection are brought into focus by an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions. Massimo Campigli, Il Belvedere, 1930 Umberto Boccioni, Modern Idol, 1911 Since opening in 1998, the Estorick Collection is perhaps best known for its Futurist works. However, it also comprises a number of works by artists whose imagery was entirely different including the enigmatic images of Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978), the contemplative still lifes of Giorgio Morandi (1890-1964), the delicate portraits of Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) and the mysterious landscapes of Zoran Music (1909-2005). Furthermore, the collection owns a number of paintings and sculptural works by artists who did not form a movement as such but worked after the First World War, and looked to the past for inspiration. Further information on the main movements and biographies of the artists in the collection can be found on the website. Eric and Salome Estorick Eric Estorick (1913 1993) was born in New York City, studied and taught sociology and wrote political texts. In 1947 Eric married Salome Dessau (1921 1989), a successful textile designer who invented stretch lace. On their honeymoon they were introduced to the works of the Futurists through books which prompted their fascination and passion to start collecting Italian art at a time when it was unfashionable to do so. Their choices reveal great foresight and a passion for figurative painting and sculpture and led them to meet, among other artists, Mario Sironi (1885-1961), Massimo Campigli (1895-1971) and Zoran Music, all present in the collection. The Building The collection is displayed in a splendid Georgian house previously known as Northampton Lodge. Built between 1807 and 1810, the Lodge has had multiple functions in the past ranging from private house to a factory for artificial flowers. The building acquired Grade II listing in 1953. Following the suggestion of Michael Estorick, son of Eric and Salome, the lodge was bought to house the collection in 1994 with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and was opened to the public in 1998. 3
Activities for Primary Schools Estorick-led sessions support creative learning across the curriculum. While looking at the art works, students will exercise their skills in language, history and geography as well as art, while engaging in creative and enjoyable projects. Handling of materials, additional photographs, manifesto facsimiles and sound recordings can all be used to bring the sessions to life and to support the learning outcomes. Students can record from first-hand observation in the galleries, whilst being encouraged to use their imagination. Free Talks Free 20 minute talks focus on a small selection of works and use them as the starting point to explore a specific theme. The works are always examined within their cultural, social and historical contexts and stylistics comparisons are drawn between them. During the talk students will learn how to look at artworks, to observe details and to interpret the artist s message. Pupils will be encouraged to comment and to share their ideas with one another. Suggested themes are: Portraiture and Representing Identity Still Lifes: Objects and Meaning Landscapes and Cityscapes Picturing Action and Movement Workshops Led by Estorick educators, the two-hour workshops give students the opportunity to bring into focus further a specific aspect of the collections through a creative activity in the gallery. During the practical activity, pupils will be encouraged to explore ideas and develop observational and imaginative skills using the works exhibited as the stimulus for the development of a two or threedimensional composition. All materials will be provided by the Estorick Collection. The workshops structure is flexible and can be planned to suit specific needs. Schools are encouraged to book an Estorick-led visit and workshops on Mondays and Tuesdays when the gallery is closed to the public. Maximum group size per session is 30 Workshop fee 80 4
Portraiture Amedeo Modigliani, Doctor Francois Brabander, 1918 Art and Design at KS1 and KS2 Observing the range of approaches to portraiture by Amedeo Modigliani, Giacomo Balla (1871-1958), Massimo Campigli and Corrado Govoni (1884-1965), the talk introduces the tradition of portraiture and examines how in portraiture and self-portraiture, imagery can be modified in order to express different elements of the model personality and mood. Students will be encouraged to develop ideas of how they can convey personal identity through costume, pose, tone, colours and symbols. The practical part of the workshop will build on basic skills for portrait making through drawing, collage and poetry. This workshop supports Art and Design Unit 1A: Self-portrait and Art and Design Unit 3A: Portraying Relationships. Cross curricular link with English. Corrado Govoni, Selfportrait, 1915 Landscape and Cityscape Gino Severini, The Boulevard, 1910-1911 Cross Curriculuar at KS1 and KS2 During the talk, students will observe a range of works by artists who have used rural and urban landscape as a source of inspiration and a vehicle for creating mood and atmosphere. The Futurist view of the city was frenzied, noisy and dynamic, and they wanted to be a part of the city life. In contrast, Zoran Music and Giorgio Morandi created very still and contemplative landscapes. The group discussion will focus on the representation of buildings and landscape looking at tones, colours and compositions. Futurism's attraction to the city and the dynamism of urban life can provide an interesting starting point for students producing work on their local environment. In the workshop students will recreate a local landscape choosing their media according to the emotions they want to convey. Zoran Music, Black Mountain, 1952 This workshop supports Art and Design Unit 2C: Can Buildings Speak?, Art and Design Unit 3C: Can we Change Place? and Art and Design Unit 6C: Sense of Place. Cross curricular link with Geography Unit 6 Investigating our local area. 5
Materials in Art and Sculpture Medardo Rosso, Impressions of the Boulevard: Woman with a Veil, 1893 Cross curricular at KS1 and KS2 Looking at sculptures by Medardo Rosso (1858-1928), Giacomo Manzù (1908-1991) and Marino Marini (1901-1980), students will examine shape, form, texture and the sensory qualities of materials. The talk is followed by a short handling session of sample materials, and students will be asked to compare different textures and learn about the differences between tactile and visual textures. Students will then engage in a practical activity. By experimenting with a range of mediums and surfaces, including shells, string, stone and wood, they will create their own texture rubbings. This workshop supports Art and Design Unit 1B: Investigating Materials and Art and Design Unit 1C: Sculpture. Cross curricular link with Science Unit 1C: Sorting and using materials. Marino Marini, Quadriga, 1942 Objects and Meaning Gino Severini Quaker Oats, 1917 Art and Design at KS1 and KS2 Focusing on still life compositions by Giorgio De Chirico, Gino Severini (1883-1966) and Giorgio Morandi, the talk examines how artists arrange objects, use colours, and choose their techniques to construct stories and reveal emotions. The discussion will assist students in observing the impact these choices have on the viewer, as well as the symbolic values of the chosen objects and the stories they tell when brought together. In the practical activity, pupils will begin to experiment with still life composition using colour symbolically. Working in groups or independently, they will be invited to choose from a selection of everyday objects to arrange them to tell a story and to reproduce their compositions on paper through drawing or collage. This workshop supports Art and Design Unit 5A: Objects and meanings, Art and Design Unit 4A: View points and Art and Design Unit 4C: Journeys. Giorgio Morandi Still Life with Jugs, 1956 6
Action and Movement Gino Severini, Dancer + Sea, 1913 Cross curricular at KS1 and KS2 Many artists attempted to represent movement and energy on a static, two-dimensional surface. Concentrating on the works by Giacomo Balla, Gino Severini and Umberto Boccioni (1882-1916) who depicted musicians, dancers, cyclists, and the energy of the city life, the talk will examine the various approaches employed to illustrate visually continuous movement. The discussion will assist pupils to think of the range of approaches used by the different artists with a particular focus on the Divisionist s short, uniform brush strokes of pure complementary colours and the fractured spaces, repetitive images and swirling patterns in Futurist studies. Students will then create their own flip book through, making drawings based on works from the permanent collection. They will learn how to combine images in order to portray movement. This workshop supports Art and Design Unit 6A: People in action and Science Unit 2E: Forces and movement. Giacomo Balla, Hand of the Violinist, 1912 If there is any particular aspect of the gallery s collection that you would like to focus on as the subject of a workshop, or if you would like to adapt one of the suggestions above, please let us know, so together we can plan the most rewarding visit for your group. 7
The painting styles and painters in the Collection Divisionism Giacomo Balla, Portrait of Carlo Fontana, 1907 Divisionism was developed in Northern Italy during the last decade of the 19 th century. The Divisionist painters explored symbolism to express their views of modern society and developed a painting technique to capture greater brilliance of colour and light. Using research into optics and colour theory, the Divisionist painters used short, uniform brush strokes of pure complementary colours, layered to create an overall vibrant liveliness. The Estorick Collection has examples of Divisionist paintings by Giacomo Balla, Umberto Boccioni and Carlo Carrà (1881-1966). Futurism Luigi Russolo, Music, 1911 Luigi Russolo, Music, 1911 'We declare... a new beauty, the beauty of Speed.' F.T. Marinetti Futurism was an art movement that reflected the dramatic changes in early twentieth-century society and the new technological and industrial age. The Futurist Manifesto, written by the poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, celebrated flight, modern cities, war, the machine and speed. It was published by the French newspaper Le Figaro in 1909, creating enormous public interest and instant fame for its author. The manifesto quickly gained the following of other young artists Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla, Carlo Carrà, Luigi Russolo (1885-1947) and Gino Severini all of whom are represented at the Estorick Collection. The artists disliked museums and libraries for preserving old objects and conversely wanted to destroy Italy's past and live for the future. The movement soon grew to embrace design, poetry, painting, sculpture, architecture, fashion, music and theatre, and the artists wrote manifestos on everything from clothes to cinema. Their aim was to make art available to as many people as possible, from factory workers to academic professors. They staged madcap performances and publicity stunts to share their ideas and to engage and outrage the public. Many Futurist art works in the Estorick Collection depict the movement of people in cities, dancers, speeding automobiles representing the concept of dynamism through different media and techniques. 8
Metaphysical School and Giorgio Morandi Giorgio de Chirico Revolt of the Sage, 1916 "There is nothing more surreal, nothing more abstract than reality." Giorgio Morandi The Metaphysical School was founded by the artists Giorgio de Chirico and Carlo Carrà during the First World War. De Chirico moved to Paris in 1910, and in 1917 developed his new style as a reaction against Cubism. He had studied Symbolism and was interested in revealing the hidden meanings and inner life of objects by creating unusual compositions where objects are taken out of their usual contexts and placed together in strange juxtapositions. The experience of Metaphysical painting is similar to the dream-like and disquieting imagery of the Surrealist artists who were heavily influenced by Psychoanalysis and Sigmund Freud's work with the hidden unconscious, dream analysis and free association. The important Italian painter Giorgio Morandi was inspired by the works of the Metaphysical painters to create a small number of still life works with groupings of enigmatic objects. Like the Metaphysical artists Morandi revealed symbolism and meaning in objects by positioning them in contemplative settings. Morandi is famous for his highly sensitive treatment of object, form and tone. Throughout his career he refined his work to its minimal elements, creating subtle, beautiful and atmospheric images. Amedo Modigliani, Renato Guttuso, Zoran Music and Massimo Campigli Renato Guttuso Death of a Hero, 1953 Amedeo Modigliani s early work was influenced by Cézanne and the Symbolists, and later by Italian Primitives and African and Oceanic sculpture. From these sources he drew a repertoire of primitive forms, elongated figures and ovoid heads. Renato Guttuso (1911-1987) championed Social Realism, strongly believing in the social responsibility of artists. He painted everyday working scenes in an easily understood realist style throughout his career. Zoran Music was born in Gorizia on the Slovenian border with Italy near the Dalmatian coast whose Karstic hills would have a profound influence on his palette. During World War Two Music was imprisoned in Dachau and secretly recorded the horrors around him. Following the war - and perhaps in reaction to it - Music painted landscapes without people in dry, muted tones inspired by the countryside in Dalmatia Massimo Campigli discovered Etruscan art at Rome's Villa Giulia in 1928. This encounter revolutionised his palette, his media and his subject as he began to use pale tones, dry, fresco-like paint and to portray languorous women. 9
Sculptors at the Estorick Collection The oldest artist in the collection, Medardo Rosso (1858-1928) was sculpting at the turn of the century. His work was truly revolutionary and an inspiration to Umberto Boccioni and the other Futurist artists. Marino Marini (1901-1980) also used Roman sculpture as his reference, particularly in his Pomona series. However his horses and riders were response to his present, the terrifying events of the Second World War. Emilio Greco (1913-1995) drew inspiration from Etruscan terracotta that use gentle, flowing lines for his female figures. Giacomo Manzù (1908-1991) looked at the early Christian and Medieval art. He used ancient Christian imagery as a way to comment on twentieth century violence and Fascism. Giacomo Manzu, Bust of a Woman, 1952 10
Planning Your Visit Class Visits We ask all groups of 10 or more to book in advance. The Estorick Collection provides free entry to under 16s and full time students. Accompanying adults need to pay admission: standard 5, concession 3.50 The price of workshops is inclusive of adult admission fees. Primary schools are encouraged to book an Estorick-led talk or workshop. Please contact our education staff to discuss how one of these sessions can be tailor-made to support your classroom-based work. Schools are encouraged to book an Estorick-led visit and workshops on Mondays and Tuesdays when the gallery is closed to the public. Free Education Evenings Usually held on the first Thursday of every new exhibition, these informal events offer the chance to see the display, find out about our latest education resources and programming, and enjoy refreshments with colleagues and Estorick education staff. Although exhibition evenings are always free, booking is essential. Please visit www.estorickcollection.com for details of forthcoming Education evenings. Learning Resources for Temporary Exhibitions Education notes, special talks and workshops are available in concomitance with our exciting exhibition programme. Contact us or visit our website for details of upcoming exhibitions and related learning resources. Contact Ruth Millington - Education Officer Email: education@estorickcollection.com Telephone: 020 7704 9522 Gallery Information 11
Address 39a Canonbury Square (entrance on Canonbury Road), London, N1 2AN. Website www.estorickcollection.com Opening Hours Wednesday to Saturday 11.00-18.00 11.00 21.00 first Thursday of each month Sunday 12.00-17.00 Closed Mondays and Tuesdays Accessibility The garden level galleries, café, gallery shop and toilets are wheelchair accessible. Access to ground level galleries is through Canonbury Square entrance via a wheelchair ramp. Car parking is only available for visitors with limited mobility. Visitors should phone in advance for gates to be opened. The building's listed status prevents wheelchair access to the first floor galleries and library. Café There is a small cafe near the entrance door. You are welcome to use our garden in the summer months for supervised picnics. Gallery Shop Books, catalogues, postcards and other items are available from the gallery bookshop. School groups are welcome but are asked to visit in small groups as space is limited. Transport Excellent public transport is available nearby. Coaches may only drop off outside the gallery on Canonbury Square. Rail/Underground Highbury and Islington (Victoria Line), 4 stops from Oxford Circus and 1 stop from Kings Cross. London Overground (formerly Silverlink Metro) to Highbury and Islington Station. Network Southeast to Essex Road Station. Buses 271 to door; 4, 19, 30, 43 to Upper Street/ Canonbury Lane; 38, 56, 73, 341 to Essex and Canonbury Roads. Research To learn more about the artists and movements represented in the Estorick Collection, visit the 'Permanent Collection' section of our website. The Estorick library holds over 2500 books specialising in early 20 th century Italian art. Open by appointment only to teachers. Please phone 020 7704 9522. 12