Art in Focus
In the Orchard, 1881
George Clausen, the artist who painted In the Orchard was originally an interior decorator! Like many people still do today, he trained as an artist by taking evening classes at the National Art School. While studying there Clausen met the artist Edward Long, who eventually convinced him to give up interior decorating and pursue art full time.
In the 1800s Clausen became interested in the French style of painting called plein-air, meaning ‘in the open air’. He started a club in 1886 called the New English Art Club which would paint in this way.
Clausen soon became popular for his paintings of landscapes and peasant life.
In 1895 he was elected as an associate of the Royal Academy art club and by 1906 was a full Royal Academician. He also became the Professor of Painting with the Royal Academy.
During World War One Clausen was an official war artist. He went on to be given a knighthood in 1927.
This painting shows a girl wearing a white apron collecting fruit from an orchard. Artists studying the plein-air style often liked to depict country life in this idyllic, clean and fresh looking manner, however the reality of country life was likely far more harsh.
Here are some paintings by George Clausen
Activities
Exploring the Painting
Have a good look at the painting and think about the following questions:
- Where is the girl?
- How old do you think she is?
- What is the she doing?
- Do you think that’s her job?
- Do you think that’s her only job?
- What is she wearing?
- Are her clothes clean?
- Does she look happy?
- Do you think it’s a realistic picture of what life might have been like when this painting was created in 1881?
Art
- This painting shows a girl wearing a white apron collecting fruit from an orchard. It has been painted in a style called plein-air, meaning ‘in the open air’. Artists painting in this way often liked to show country life in this idyllic manner – with people in clean clothes, with fresh faces, lots of crops and warm skies – however the reality of country life was likely far more harsh. Go on the internet and look up other paintings by George Clausen. What do they have in common?Now draw your own picture of a working country child in this ‘plein-air’ style. Think about the following:
- What will they be wearing in your picture
- What will they be holding
- What will their facial expression be
- Will they have anything around them like animals or tools
- What does the ground look like
- What does the sky look like
- What will the picture be called
Creative Writing
Put yourself first in the mind-set of this girl in her countryside setting. She has a pen pal in the city who she often writes to. Her pen pal works in a cotton mill. Write a letter to her friend from her perspective. You could think about including the following:
- What does daily life look like in the countryside
- What time do you wake up
- What jobs do you have to get done at different times of day
- What fun can be had in the day
- What is hard work
- Who do you have around you to spend time with
- Do you like life in the country or would you prefer to be in a city like your friend
- What do you hope to do in the future
- What questions would you ask your friend? Are you curious about their life?
Now put yourself in her friend’s shoes working in a cotton mill and reply. Think about including the following:
- What time you get up to go to the mill
- How far away do you live from it
- Is it dangerous work
- Does it scare you
- What do you wear while at work
- What do you eat in the day
- Who takes care of you
- What do you hope to do in the future
- Would you like to work and live in the countryside like your friend?
- Do you have time to play?