British Painting

МЕТА: British Painting

Active Vocabulary

attitude – ставлення

considerable – значний, важливий

contemporary – сучасний

marine – морський

outstanding – видатний, знаменитий

extremely – надзвичайно

to belong – належати

ENGLISH ART

Fill in the gaps with the words:   highly-educated, outstanding, development, portrait,  success, landscape, extremely, children, influenced, career

       Painting in England began to develop later than in other European countries. That’s why some of the greatest foreign masters were attracted to England by the titles of nobility conferred upon them. Holbein, Antonio Mor, Rubens, Van Dyck were almost all English painters during longer or shorter periods of their lives.

Sir Anthony Van Dyck (1599—1641), who married the daughter of an English lord and who died in London is considered to be the father of the English portrait school. He worked at the court of Karl I, was an 1 ___ hard-working painter. His most famous works are: his self-portrait, «Portrait of the Man» and «Karl I».

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723—1792) is one of the outstanding British portraitists, who had an important influence on his contemporaries. Within a short period of time he achieved a considerable 2 _. In 1755, at the highest point of his 3 _ he painted 120 portraits. When, in 1768, the Royal Academy of Arts was founded, he naturally became its first president. In 1784 he became a principal painter of the King. He was a 4 __ person,a wonderful colourist. His colours are difficult to judge today, because they were not scientifically applied.

Thomas Gainsborough (1727—1788) succeeded brilliantly as a 5___ painter. Society went to him for portraits. A good amateur violinist and a lover of drama, he was an artistic person by nature. Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough created a national type of the English portrait. His manner of painting differs from Reynolds’. Thomas Gainsborough’s portraits of actors, actresses and his close friends are famous. One of his greatest friends was Richard Sheridan, the dramatist, whose portrait belongs to one of the best pictures of this painter. Even in his portraits Thomas Gainsborough is an out-of-door painter. The backgrounds of his portraits are often well-observed country scenes. He was one of the first to be elected to thе newly established London Academy of Arts.

John Constable (1776—1837) is one of the most 6 _ painters, who developed his own style of painting. He considered sketches made directly from nature the first task of a 7 _ painter. He introduced green into his painting: the green of trees, the green of summer, all the greens which until then other painters had refused to see. He made quick sketches based on his first impressions of natural beauties. John Constable used broken touches of colour. His work is important as the beginning of the impressionist school. In his paintings the artist showed a new attitude to nature. He refused to learn works of famous landscape painters and decided to go to the country and to paint nature as he saw it. Constable depicted nature in his own realistic way, he was the first artist who began to paint sketches which were as big as paintings. He was able to show the inside life of nature. John Constable’s innovation 8 _ greatly the    9 _ of French landscape painting.

William Joseph Turner (1774—1851) was the greatest English romantic, landscape and marine painter. He was a son of a fashionable barber, started drawing and painting at his early age. His father used to sell the boy’s drawings to his customers and in such a way he earned money for the boy’s learning of art. At 14 he entered the Royal Academy School. His water-colours were exhibited at the Royal Academy when he was only 15. At 18 he started his own studio and received a commission to make drawings for magazines.  He loved his paintings as a man loves his 10 ___. At the age of 27 he was elected as a Royal Academician. From that time his paintings became in great demand and brought good money. The last years of his life he spent in a little cottage at Chelsea. He liked to watch the sunrise and sunset. And it is said that only an hour before his death he had his chair wheeled to the window, so that he might look for the last time at the sun shining upon the river.

Read the text. For questions (1—5) choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D).

The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary performing arts is probably the most exciting music fest in England which is popular with the people of different ages. It is also world-renowned for having stellar performers: the past ten years have seen such artists as Paul McCartney, R.E.M., Rod Stewart, Lily Allen, John Mayer, The Who, Coldplay, and David Bowie, so the Glastonbury Festival is an unbelievable celebration of music, art and culture. With the total area covering a good nine square miles of land on the Worthy Farm in southwest England, there is so much more to see and experience than just the music. There are theatre acts, a circus, cabaret performers, shopping, crafts, comedy troupes, dancers, and so much more. Your camping neighbours will soon become your new best friends. Speaking of best friends, your doggies, kitties, birdies, and other pets are not permitted at Glastonbury so arrange for them to be cared for while you are gone; otherwise they will be seized and held off site at your expense. Glastonbury Festival does welcome children, and there is plenty for them to do. So, be prepared for five spectacular days of music, dancing, revelry, and fun, which may become one of the most memorable experiences of your life!

1) The text is concerned with ...

A modern performing arts

B contemporary music

C festivals of contemporary arts held in the USA

D one of music festivals which take place in England

2) The Glastonbury Festival ...

A invites world-famous stars

B is a classical music fest

C is an event only for adults

D takes place in the east of England

3) The place where the festival is held ...

A is very peaceful

B takes an area of about nine square kilometers

C is located in a town

D is in the country

4) At Glastonbury pets ...

A are welcome

B can be seized and held off site at your expense

C can be looked after for additional fee

D are not forbidden

5) It can be inferred from the text that Glastonbury Festival ...

A does not offer any activities for children

B occupies a large concert hall

C lasts for five days

D is best for those who are interested in fine arts