2/23/2021 Shape

 The West and East Buildings remain closed at this time. Learn more. 

 ADMISSION IS FREE, TIMED ENTRY TICKETS REQUIRED  DIRECTIONS

National Gallery of Art

TEACHERS ▸

The Elements of Art: Shape

Grade Level: 2–4

Students will be introduced to one of the basic elements of art—shape—by analyzing the types of
shapes used in various works of art to differentiate between geometric and natural shapes. They will
then create their own cut paper collage based on a theme they select.

https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/shape.html 1/8
2/23/2021 Shape

Henri Matisse, Beasts of the Sea, 1950, gouache on

paper, cut and pasted on white paper, mounted on
canvas, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1973.18.1

Curriculum Connections

Math (geometry)

Materials

Smart Board or computer with ability to project images from slideshow

https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/shape.html 2/8
2/23/2021 Shape

Heavy cardstock (to prevent curling when painted)

Scissors
Glue
Large sized colored paper to attach cut shapes to
Foam sponges cut to various shapes
Tempera paint in various colors

Warm-up Questions

What shapes do you recognize in Beasts of the Sea? Can you find shapes that remind you of playful
fish? a floating seahorse? spiral shells? waving seaweed? curvy coral? What about geometric shapes
like squares, rectangles, and triangles?

Background

Everything has a shape, right? But what exactly is a shape? Shape is a flat area surrounded by edges
or an outline.

Artists use all kinds of shapes. Geometric shapes are precise and regular, like squares, rectangles,
and triangles. They are often found in human-made things, like building and machines while
biomorphic shapes are found in nature. These shapes may look like leaves, flowers, clouds—things
that grow, flow, and move. The term biomorphic means: life-form (bio=life and morph= form).
Biomorphic shapes are often rounded and irregular, unlike most geometric shapes.

An artist that loved to explore the possibilities of mixing geometric and biomorphic shapes was Henri
Matisse. In the last few decades of his artistic career, he developed a new form of art-making: the
paper cut-out. Still immersed in the power of color, he devoted himself to cutting colored papers and
arranging them in designs. “Instead of drawing an outline and filling in the color…I am drawing directly
in color,” he said. Matisse was drawing with scissors!

Matisse enjoyed going to warmer places and liked to watch sunlight shimmering on the sea. He often
traveled to seaports along the French Mediterranean, also visiting Italy, North Africa, and Tahiti.
Beasts of the Sea is a memory of his visit to the South Seas. In this work of art, Matisse first mixed
paint to get all the brilliant colors of the ocean. Then he cut this paper into shapes that reminded him
of a tropical sea. Lastly, he arranged these biomorphic shapes vertically over rectangles of yellows,
greens, and purples to suggest the watery depths of the undersea world.

Guided Practice

https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/shape.html 3/8
2/23/2021 Shape

Students will explore other artists who experimented with different kinds of shapes. View the
slideshow below and have students point out the shapes they see and define them as being either
geometric or from nature/biomorphic:

Slideshow: Geometric or Biomorphic?: Shapes in Works of Art

Piet Mondrian, Tableau No. IV; Lozenge Composition with Red, Gray, Blue, Yellow, and Black, c.
1924/1925

What kind of shapes did the artist use?

Geometric? (Yes, triangles, a square, and rectangles.)

From nature/biomorphic? (None.)

Edward Steichen, Le Tournesol (The Sunflower), c. 1920

What kind of shapes did the artist use?

Geometric? (The artist used mostly geometric shapes.)

From nature/biomorphic? (The big green shape—the vase—in the middle of the painting
seems more like something found in nature with its rounded edges.)

Vincent van Gogh, Roses, 1890

What kind of shapes did the artist use?

Geometric? (No hard-edged shapes here.)

From nature/biomorphic? (Yes, it makes sense that a painting of flowers uses
biomorphic shapes—things "from life.")

https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/shape.html 4/8
2/23/2021 Shape

Henri Matisse, Woman Seated in an Armchair, 1940

Point out that this is the same artist as the one that created Beasts of the Sea, however,
this one uses paint instead of cut paper.
Did he mix kinds of shapes in this painting too? (Yes, the artist used shapes from nature
and geometric shapes here.)

Activity

Using Matisse’s Beasts of the Sea as their inspiration, students will create their own colorful collage:

. Students will select a theme for their work. Like Matisse, they can choose a memory of a
vacation as their inspiration.
. Also, like Matisse, students will make their own colored paper by painting entire sheets
of white paper one color. Use heavy cardstock so the paper doesn’t curl.
. Using scissors, students will cut the paper into different shapes that remind them of that
place.
. Then, they will arrange their cut-out shapes on a large piece of colored paper.
Encourage students to move the pieces around, rotate them, and experiment with
layering.
. When they are satisfied with the design, glue the shapes in place.

As an alternative to accommodate motor control differences, the teacher can provide sponges in pre-
cut shapes. Students would then dip the sponge shapes into tempera paint and stamp them onto the
paper.

Extension

While creating the cut-outs, Matisse hung them on the walls and ceiling of his apartment in Nice,
France. “Thanks to my new art, I have a lush garden all around me. And I am never alone,” he said.
Have students brainstorm unique ways of hanging their artwork. How could they transform their
surroundings? Could a hallway be lined with underwater scenes to make it seem like students are
swimming to class? If possible, execute their exhibition desires and invite others students to explore
their work. Student artists should describe their process and choice of shapes to convey their theme.

The Elements of Art is supported by the Robert Lehman Foundation

National Core Arts Standards

https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/shape.html 5/8
2/23/2021 Shape

VA:Cn10.1.4 Create works of art that reflect community cultural traditions.

VA:Cr1.1.4 Through observation, infer information about time, place, and culture in which a work of art
was created.

VA:Cr1.2.2 Brainstorm collaboratively multiple approaches to an art or design problem.

VA:Cr2.1.3 Create personally satisfying artwork using a variety of artistic processes and materials.

VA:Cr2.2.2 Demonstrate safe procedures for using and cleaning art tools, equipment, and studio
spaces.

VA:Pr4.1.3 Investigate and discuss possibilities and limitations of spaces, including electronic, for
exhibiting artwork.

VA:Re7.1.2 Perceive and describe aesthetic characteristics of one’s natural world and constructed
environments.

VA:Re7.2.4 Analyze components in visual imagery that convey messages.

VA:Re8.1.1 Interpret art by categorizing subject matter and identifying the characteristics of form.

MORE LESSONS IN THIS UNIT ▾

Color

Line

Form

Texture

RELATED RESOURCE ▾

Download a family-oriented guide to Matisse and Derain's friendship

TEACHER WORKSHOPS ▾

Register for evening and weekend teacher professional development workshops and apply to participate in the
summer teacher institute

https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/shape.html 6/8
2/23/2021 Shape

Stay up to date about our exhibitions, news, programs, and special offers.

Enter your e-mail SUBSCRIBE

About

About the Gallery

Blog

Press

FAQs

Contact Us

Plan a Visit

Getting Here

Accessibility

Today's Tours

Food & Drink

Calendar

Downloadable Map

Get Involved

Donate

Membership

Volunteer

Opportunities

Shop Online

Resources

Search the Collection

Conservation

Library

https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/shape.html 7/8
2/23/2021 Shape

Archives

CASVA

Film Programs

Music Programs

Audio/Video

Open Access Images

West Building
6th St and Constitution Ave NW
Closed

Sculpture Garden
7th St and Constitution Ave NW
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily

East Building
4th St and Constitution Ave NW
Closed

The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and
our shared humanity.

The Sculpture Garden is now open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The West and East Buildings remain closed at
this time. Learn more.

    
© 2021 National Gallery of Art
Notices Terms of Use Privacy Policy

https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/shape.html 8/8