Exploring Art with Infants
This resource includes thematic selections of art based on subject matter appealing to infants. Together with your baby, enjoy the works chosen, and anticipate that they will open a path for further exploration of art and creativity.
Grade Level: Early Childhood Subject Area: Fine Arts, Visual Arts Activity Type: Engagement Activity
Color
Colorful paintings captivate infants’ curiosity as their vision develops and they investigate the world around them. Visit these objects (virtually or in person), and observe how your baby responds and what preferences they display.
Isis Ardor
Jules Olitski, American, born Russia, 1922 - 2007 (Artist) 17th Stage
Kenneth Noland, American, 1924 - 2010 (Artist)
Negative Optic Electric Force, Positive ...
Alfred Jensen, American, born Guatemala, 1903 - 1981 (Artist) Ocean Park No. 22
Richard Diebenkorn, American, 1922 - 1993 (Artist)
Number 15, 1948
Jackson Pollock, American, 1912 - 1956 (Artist) Out West
Roy DeForest, American, 1930 - 2007 (Artist)
Colorful paintings captivate infants’ curiosity as their vision develops and they investigate the world around them. Visit these objects (virtually or in person), and observe how your baby responds and what preferences they display.
Portraits
From birth, infants desire to look at faces and facelike shapes, preferring happy or content expressions. The selected works of art below have fascinated many children in VMFA’s Early Childhood Education classes. Visit them yourself (virtually or in person) to see which one your baby likes best!
Self-Portrait with Sunglasses
Alex Katz, American, born 1927 (Artist) Willem van Heythuysen
Kehinde Wiley, American, born 1977 (Artist)
Child Picking a Fruit
Mary Cassatt, American, 1844 - 1926 (Artist) Marian Anderson
Beauford Delaney, American, 1901 - 1979 (Artist)
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ...
Unknown (Artist) Homage to Romare
David Driskell, American, 1931 - 2020 (Artist)
From birth, infants desire to look at faces and facelike shapes, preferring happy or content expressions. The selected works of art below have fascinated many children in VMFA’s Early Childhood Education classes. Visit them yourself (virtually or in person) to see which one your baby likes best!
Music
Whether played to relieve distress, inspire dance, spark laughter, or help ease transitions, babies benefit from being exposed to music, singing, and musical instruments. VMFA’s permanent collection includes both actual instruments and paintings depicting musicians and musical objects. Here are a few for you to visit (virtually or in person) with your baby!
Royal Drum (Pelambish)
Unknown (Artist)
Side-Blown Horn
Unknown (Artist) Raven Rattle
Unknown (Artist)
Grand Piano
Louis Majorelle, French, 1859 - 1926 (Artist) The Banjo Player
Hale Woodruff, American, 1900 - 1980 (Artist)
Three Folk Musicians
Romare Bearden, American, 1911 - 1988 (Artist) Whether played to relieve distress, inspire dance, spark laughter, or help ease transitions, babies benefit from being exposed to music, singing, and musical instruments. VMFA’s permanent collection includes both actual instruments and paintings depicting musicians and musical objects. Here are a few for you to visit (virtually or in person) with your baby!