ART HISTORY

Capturing Animals
in Nature

BRUC E M USEU M
1 Museum Drive • Greenwich, CT

What makes you happy and excited? For photographer

Joel Sartore, the opportunity to work with animals and spread the
message of conservation is what motivates his artwork. During the
past 25 years, Sartore has made it his mission to photograph every
species of wild animal living in zoos and aquariums across the
world. From lemurs to lemmings, from cougars to koalas, Sartore
has created beautiful and sometimes haunting portraits of wild
animals held in captivity. In the exhibition “National Geographic
Above: Florida Panther, Puma concolor coryi;
© Photo by Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark
Photo Ark” at the Bruce Museum from June 2- September 2, 2018,
Sartore’s photos of these wild animals will be on display, giving
visitors a chance to see the diversity of nature.

You Try It! Watch animals in their natural haibat.

While we can’t all be Joel Sartore, we can spend time outside
watching animals in their natural habitat. With a grownup’s
permission, put together a nature sketching kit and take your
artistic talent outdoors. You will need: a notebook, several
pencils, and an eraser. You might also want to bring some snacks
and water, because observing animals in the wild takes time
and patience. Find a comfortable place to sit outside and set
yourself up. Eventually you will begin to notice birds, insects and
perhaps even squirrels or frogs. Take notes on what they look Above: Burmese Star Tortoises, Geochelone platynota.
like, what they are eating or doing, and where they are. Create © Photo by Joel Sartore/National Geographic Photo Ark

quick sketches, you can always fill these in later with color and

GET
detail. You’re on your way to becoming a naturalist/artist!

Creative!
Common Core State Standard:
ELA: Literacy: R.L. 3.3-5.3, R.L. 3.7-6.7, R.L. 3.1-5.1,
R.L. 6.4-8.4, R.H. 6-8.4, R.H. 6-8.7