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Home>Learn>Teachers>School Field Trips>Sculpture and Sketching: From Traditional to Modern

# Sculpture and Sketching: From Traditional to Modern

Grades 4 through 12

**We are no longer accepting requests for winter/spring field trips.**

**We will offer a selection of in-person and virtual field trips (using Zoom) for Fall 2024.**

**Request for fall field trips (September 30 – December 6, 2024) will be accepted from August 1 – November 1, 2024.**

From figurative bronzes and marble carvings to works of art that challenge conventional ideas about sculpture, students will investigate materials, techniques, subject matter, and artistic intent. Through sketching exercises and discussion, students will develop their ideas and interpretations of traditional sculptures in the West Building and modern sculptures in the East Building.

Schedule a Field Trip

Pietro Magni, *The Reading Girl (La Leggitrice)*, model 1856, carved 1861, marble, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2003.84.1

Looking and Learning Skills

This field trip encourages participants to develop their ideas and interpretations based on careful observation, sketching, and discussion of sculpture at five to six stops. Students will practice:
                    - Using sketching as a tool to observe and understand sculptural technique, form, and function
                    - Debating, discussing, and interpreting the intended purpose and message of a sculpture or group of sculptures, and
                    - Comparing and contrasting the materials, technique, and subject matter of sculptures  

## 

**In-Person Field Trip Information**

Group Size: Up to 60 studentsLength: 90 minutesMeeting Location: West Building Rotunda

**Important Scheduling Information**

Field trips must be scheduled at least four weeks in advance. Groups must contain at least 15 students.

Once your field trip has been scheduled, you will receive an email confirmation within ten business days.

**Title I Bus Stipends**

Funding for the cost of bus transportation is available for Title I schools that participate in our docent-led school field trips. For more information, please get in touch with Deirdre Palmer at [email protected] or (202) 842-6880, or use the application form.

## Examples of Works Featured on this Field Trip

Example works featured on the Sculpture and Sketching school tour
Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié, *Gloria Victis*, model c. 1874, cast after 1879, bronze, Andrew W. Mellon Fund, 1985.52.1

Example works featured on the Sculpture and Sketching school tour
Edgar Degas, *Little Dancer Aged Fourteen*, 1878-1881, pigmented beeswax, clay, metal armature, rope, paintbrushes, human hair, silk and linen ribbon, cotton faille bodice, cotton and silk tutu, linen slippers, on wooden base, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 1999.80.28

Example works featured on the Sculpture and Sketching school tour
Pietro Magni, *The Reading Girl (La Leggitrice)*, model 1856, carved 1861, marble, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2003.84.1

Example works featured on the Sculpture and Sketching school tour
Andy Goldsworthy, *Roof*, 2004-2005, Buckingham Virginia slate, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2005.86.1

Example works featured on the Sculpture and Sketching school tour
Constantin Brâncuși, *Bird in Space*, 1927, brass, limestone, and wood, Given in loving memory of her husband, Taft Schreiber, by Rita Schreiber, 1989.31.3

Example works featured on the Sculpture and Sketching school tour
Alexander Calder, *Untitled*, 1976, aluminum and steel, Gift of the Collectors Committee, 1977.76.1

## Additional National Gallery Resources

Explore the Basics of Sculpture

Process and Product: Sculpture

## Related Resources

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