Brooklyn Museum

Art and Nature

A historical, Chinese, porcelain jar decorated with realistic images of fish and aquatic plants rendered in dark, cobalt blue on a white background

Explore how artists’ choices in design and materials are informed by their environment.

Grade Level

3-5

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will:

  • Analyze a work of art from multiple perspectives, focusing on design and materials

  • Learn about the history and process of porcelain production in China

  • Examine how works of art can depict and reflect ideas about the natural world

WORKSHEETS AND ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

  • Drawing paper

  • Drawing pencils

  • Unfired clay (if available)

  • Fish and Plant Chart

  • Image of Jingdezhen

  • Touch objects (for physical toolkit): porcelain sample and cobalt pigment (in sealed jar, not to be opened)