In this section you will find activities which investigate two artworks side by side, asking learners to find similarities and differences.ÌýÌý
Key Information
Pieter Bruegel the Elder,ÌýLandscape with Flight into Egypt,Ìý1563Ìý
This painting depicts the story of the Holy Family (MaryÌýon a donkey, holding the infant baby Jesus, being led by Joseph) fleeing Jerusalem under the rule of Herod, to Egypt.ÌýÌý
The swooping panoramic landscape in this painting, depicted from an elevatedÌýviewpoint, is imaginary. It isÌýthought to be inspired byÌýBruegel’sÌýown journey to Italy, crossing the Alps.ÌýÌý
The artist’s biographer Karl vanÌýManderÌýwrote:Ìý
“He swallowed up the mountains and rocks to throw them back up again… on canvases and panels.â€Ìý
Although the painting depicts a story, the real focus is not on the people but on the landscape.Ìý
Paul Cézanne,ÌýMontagne Sainte-Victoire with Large Pine, c.1887Ìý
The Montagne Saint-VictoireÌýis a mountain ridge whichÌýlies to the east of Aix-en-Province, Paul Cézanne’s hometown, in the south of France. Cézanne painted the mountain many times throughout his career.ÌýFor him it came to symbolize home.ÌýÌýÌý
The landscape is based on Cézanne’s observations from a viewpoint overlooking the valley of the ArcÌýriverÌýand is one of several versionsÌýhe paintedÌýof the same view.ÌýÌý
Here the branches of the pine trees shimmer in the breeze as they follow the contours of the mountain ridge. By using this device, Cézanne makes the distant mountain seem closer and larger. Whilst the landscape may feel timeless, the presence of the railway viaduct on the right would have been a strongly contemporary reference for viewers in the late 1880s.Ìý
Cezanne uses blocks of boldÌýcolour, with blues to create atmosphere and yellows and reds to reflect the light, suggesting the sunny warmth of the south of France.ÌýÌý
Suggested Further Activities
Venn Diagram
Learners can create a Venn diagram to compare two artworks, noting elements unique to each artwork in the outer circles, and elements applicable to both artworks in the overlapping section.ÌýÌý
Yellow section: What I can see in the left painting
Blue section: What I can see in the right painting
Green section: What I can see in both paintings
When learners feel confident in using this technique, you could introduce a third artwork, looking for similarities in all three works, similarities between two works and elements only applicable to the individual works.ÌýÌý
You can use this technique to compare any of the artworks of your choice, including those featured in our ESOL resources, The Courtauld Collection and the collections of other museums and galleries.ÌýÌý
Compare and Contrast in Everyday Life:Ìý
Higher level ESOL learners can apply the same investigation techniques to compareÌýall sort of things that they encounter day to day. This might be their journey to college, a piece of music they enjoyÌýorÌýtheirÌýfavouriteÌýfilm, anything at all!ÌýÌý
Learners should work in pairs, taking it in turns to describe the individual elements that make up their chosen thing, for example if they were comparing films they might describe what genre of film it is, whether it’s live action or animated, who the lead actors are etc. Learners will then work together to figure out whether there are any similarities between both things.