The Young Artist

Have you ever thought about becoming an artist? Today there are many ways to learn the skills necessary to become one. You could take art classes or go to art school. The painting pictured here was painted in the mid-1800s. What does it tell us about an artist's education at that time?

In the painting we see a young artist at work on a landscape. He holds the tools of a painter: a brush, a palette (a surface on which to hold and mix paint), and a maulstick (a long wooden rod used by artists to steady the hand when painting). What other things do you see that would help the boy develop his painting skills?

Notice the open book of pictures on the floor and the folder of images behind the chair. Do you also see the sculptures? Part of the boy's education would have been to study and copy the works of other artists. The boy may have looked through the book and the portfolio for an example of a landscape before painting his own.

What type of art do you like to make? To sharpen your skills and develop your technique, study the work of other artists and keep practicing!

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Image above:
Attributed to Randall Palmer (United States, 1807-1845), The Young Artist, circa 1838-39, oil on canvas, 54 x 41 in. (137.16 x 104.14 cm), AC1992.70.1, gift of the 1992 Collectors Committee, photo © 2004 Museum Associates/LACMA.

Text prepared by the Education Department, LACMA, for the "Kids' Reading Room" (Los Angeles Times, January 27, 2004).

Welcome to Artwork of the Month! Visit this page every month to explore a new treasure from LACMA's extensive collections.

Artwork of the Month is intended for children but can also be a fun resource for students, teachers, and families who want to learn more about artworks in LACMA's permanent collection and special exhibitions.