Questions about the artist. Who painted this picture? Where was he born? Where did he study? How did he achieve his first success? How did he happen to go to England? What is his most important work? Where was it painted?
From a Copley Print copyright by
Curtis & Cameron, Publishers, Boston
THE WOLF CHARMER
Questions to arouse interest. What does this picture represent? What is the man doing? What effect does that have upon the wolves? Tell some of the general traits of a wolf. How many ever saw a tame wolf? Why do you suppose they have not become domesticated like other animals? On what is the man playing? Why do you suppose this picture is called “The Wolf Charmer”? What kind of a picture would you call it—realistic or imaginative?
Artist: John La Farge (lȧ färzh’).
Birthplace: New York City, New York.
Dates: Born, 1835; died, 1910.
The story of the picture. The weird charm of this picture lies in the strange, elfish sympathy which this man seems to have with the evil-looking wolves, and is increased by our knowledge of the nature and disposition of those fierce creatures. We have an instinctive fear of them. Perhaps this is due to the fact that very little good has ever been said or written about a wolf.