Art at Home: Apple Collage
In the spirit of heading back to school, we’re taking inspiration from Henry Ossawa Tanner’s still-life painting of apples.
Giving apples to teachers dates all the way back to the 18th century. The tradition started in Denmark and Sweden, where apples were used as a form of payment for education. In the United States, it was seen as the duty of students’ families to feed and house teachers on the frontier.
Henry O. Tanner (American, 1859 – 1937), “Still Life with Apples,” 1890s. Oil on canvas. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; The Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Collection of African American Art. GMOA 2011.604
The muted palette, soft natural light and loose brushwork of the painting suggest the influence of Thomas Eakins, whom Tanner studied with at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. It also echoes the work of Paul Cézanne, whom Tanner encountered in Paris. Tanner was one of few African American artists to enjoy international acclaim during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He moved to France in search of a more tolerant atmosphere.
Apple Collage
Now it is your turn to make apple art!
For this activity you will need:
- a printed apple template found online or a blank piece of paper
- scissors
- glue
- old magazines
- brown scrap paper
Collage Instructions:
- Print out or draw an outline of an apple. Make it as big as you can.
- Decide what color your apple will be. Find that color in old magazines and cut it out. Collect as many pieces as you can find of all shades, shapes and sizes.
- Fill in the apple outline by gluing down your colored pieces. It is okay if they overlap.
- Cut out a brown paper stem for the apple and glue it on the top. Cut out the apple and give it to your favorite teacher!