Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Portraits



You probably recognize this lady--she is one of the most famous PORTRAITS in the world! 

What is a portrait?
A portrait is a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person. 

What is a self-portrait?
A painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of YOU that is done by YOU is called a self-portrait.









This artist painted a picture of himself. His name was Vincent van Gogh. 







What is a family portrait?
A family portrait is a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a family.

Let's look at 2 different family portraits and look to see how they are different and are the same.




Monday, January 18, 2016

The History of the St. Louis Arch

I know you've seen it--possibly so many times that it doesn't make you look twice.

But if you can believe it, there was a time when St. Louis did not have an Arch.

First, we have to go wayyyyy back....

In 1934, business leaders decided that St. Louis needed a memorial to honor Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase. They raised money and tore down 40 blocks of riverfront. Here's a before and after shot of the St. Louis riverfront.

Before-1932
After-1942
Two things happened to slow it down--the Great Depression and World War II. After these ended (1945), it was time to choose something to put on the riverfront.

A design by architect Eero Saarinen was chosen in 1947. They didn't start working on it until 1954! (Well, they needed 5 million dollars first.)

Here he is with a scale model of the Arch.

How do you put up an arch? From the bottom up, of course!




The final piece of the Arch was put in on October 28, 1965. It is STILL the tallest memorial in the United States.