Top 5 Artists Every Student Should Know 2022

Our Teachers Recommend

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That’s absolutely true but it helps if that eye has training.

Art appreciation is an important learning activity for students as it teaches kids the importance of different perspectives as viewed through other cultures, history, values and traditions. Talking about art and artists highlights the beauty of diversity while also strengthening our own sense of self.

ESGI and ThinkFives asked hundreds of teachers which artists they think are vital for students to know. We’re happy to share this list of luminaries in the art world.

The original Renaissance man, Michelangelo is known for his sketches, sculptures, frescoes, poetry and paintings. Along with Leonardo Davinci and Rafael, he is considered one of the giants of the Renaissance. 

Fun Facts about Michelangelo

• Pieta was the only work Michelangelo ever signed.
• Michelangelo carved the “David” from a discarded block of marble.
• Michelangelo painted his Self Portrait in The Last Judgment of the Sistine Chapel.
• Michelangelo lived for 89 years – an unusually long lifespan for a man of his era.
• Michelangelo completed artworks for nine different Catholic Popes.

Since Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric has illustrated more than 70 books, many bestsellers and most of which he had written. His books have been translated into over 66 languages. According to Eric, “With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between home and school.  To me home represents or should represent warm security, toys, holding hands and being held.”

Fun Facts about Eric Carle

• Eric Carle’s first book as both the author and illustrator was 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo (1968).
• Eric Carle’s art is easy to recognize, using a collage technique, with hand-painted paper and cut-out images that he layers into images.
• Eric Carle has continued to publish children’s books almost every year equaling more than 70 books.
• The book The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been translated into more than 50 languages around the world and has sold more than 33 million copies.
• Eric Carle has won numerous awards including the prestigious First Prize for Picture Books from the International Children’s Book Fair in Bologna, Italy.

Throughout his career he created more than 20,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics and other items such as costumes and theater sets. Through his innovation in art, Picasso is regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Fun Facts about Picasso

• While Picasso is best known by his last name, his full name is 25 words long (Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso).
• Picasso has had more works of art stolen than any other artist.
• Picasso was a prolific artist and produced over 150,000 works.
• Picasso’s last words have inspired a Paul McCartney song (“Drink to me”).
• As a child prodigy, Picasso finished his first painting at 9 years old.

As a result of his contributions to the movement and the beauty of his works, Monet emerged as the most famous of the Impressionists. His home, garden and water lily pond are now part of the French Academy of Fine Arts and are open to visitors from around the world.

Fun Facts about Monet

• The Impressionism Art movement was named after a Monet painting.
• Argenteuil is where Monet’s art prospered.
• The model in many of Monet’s famous paintings is his wife, Camille.
• Monet didn’t just paint the flowers at Giverny — he planted them, too.
• In thirty years, Monet produced 250 “Water Lilies” paintings.

Today, Van Gogh is considered one of the most renowned painters of the last 200 years and his works are among the most expensive paintings to ever have been sold. His works and legacy are honored by a museum in his name, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, which holds the world’s largest collection of his paintings and drawings.

Fun Facts about Van Gogh

• Van Gogh painted almost 900 paintings in 10 years.
• Van Gogh lived with mental illness throughout his life.
• Van Gogh was nicknamed “The Redheaded Madman.”
• “Starry Night” was created in an asylum.
• Van Gogh only started painting at the age of 27.

Honorable Mentions

• Frida Kahlo
• Georgia O’Keeffe
• Andy Warhol
• Leonardo da Vinci

Which artist do you think every child in your class should know?

Resources

• https://www.michelangelo.org/michelangelo-facts.jsp
• https://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-michelangelo
• https://www.softschools.com/facts/authors/eric_carle_facts/1387/
• https://parispass.com/en-us/blog/facts-about-picasso
• https://mymodernmet.com/surprising-pablo-picasso-facts/
• https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/10-facts-you-should-know-about-claude-monet/
• https://www.aruma.com.au/about-us/blog/8-fascinating-facts-about-vincent-van-gogh/
• https://drawpaintacademy.com/facts-about-vincent-van-gogh/