Fitz Henry lane - Fishing party, Henry Purcell - John Keats - A Thing of Beauty, and Rose Fyleman - Mice

Our new artist is Fitz Henry Lane.  His paintings are filled with boats and the sea.  This first painting is a lovely moonlit scene.

Two introductory articles follow -  Wikipedia entry for Fitz Henry Lane and Fitz Henry Lane Online


And here is my Picasa Web Album of Fitz Henry Lane paintings with the paintings we will be covering this term.  One of them is a closeup of a larger painting.  You can print them yourself, or copy them to a flash drive or disk to get printed in town or of course enjoy them on your computer screen.

Our first painting is Fishing party.  Night scenes are very hard to paint but Fitz Henry Lane has done a beautiful job here!  You can feel the peace and beauty in the scene. If you want a close-up for details check here. There are various groups of people out enjoying the full moon.

Fishing Party

Next week we will be looking at the two paintings used in Fitz Henry Lane Online Educational Resources a website with lesson plans for studying  a couple of Fitz Henry Lane's paintings.  You can look ahead and prepare if you like.  You can use the online resources in whatever way they would best work for you and your family. I only plan to use Lesson #4.   Or if you don't care to use this resource you can just use the two paintings in the usual format we study them - observing and narrating.

If you want to study this artist but prefer choosing your own paintings, I recommend Fitz Hugh lane - The Complete Works.

Our new composer is Henry Purcell.  He's new to me so we'll be learning about him and his music together. Following are several options with short biographies: 
Wikipedia - Henry Purcell
A Concise Biography
Naxos Classical Music - Entry for Henry Purcell
Classic FM - Henry Purcell

A beautiful Psalm today, by Henry Purcell - Hear My Prayer, O Lord.  You can follow the written music for eight parts - simple words, beautiful harmonies!  Lovely! 

I think I will continue again with two poets - one whimsical and one more advanced.  I've chosen Rose Fyleman who writes about mice and fairies for our easy poet.  Links to brief biographies here:  Wikipedia - Rose Fyleman or Poem Hunter - Rose Fyleman. You can find a copy of today's poem in a children's book here- Mice by Rose Fyleman or try your local library. Rose Fyleman has other books containing her poetry. And I chose John Keats for contemplation. Short biographical sketches here: Poem Hunter - John Keats or Wikipedia - John Keats. And a Dealoz listing of books containing his poetry. 
First a John Keats' poem with a familiar first line - "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." We've started memorizing this poem.

A Thing of Beauty

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkn'd ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink. 

And a favorite poem of mine by Rose Fyleman - Mice.  Though I don't like mice, I like this poem and my youngest daughter adores mice, so for you, Ruthie - 

Mice

I think mice 
Are rather nice
Their tails are long
Their faces small,
They haven't any
Chins at all
Their ears are pink
Their teeth are white,
They run about 
The house at night.
They nibble things
They shouldn't touch
And no one seems 
To like them much

But I think mice

Are nice.