THE RENAISSANCE

COME ON! WHO DOESNT KNOW THE TEENAGE MUTANT

NINJA TURTLES???!!!!LEONARDO..DONATELLO
.MICHAELANGELOAND RAPHAEL These four evil fighting
turtles were actually named by a rat, Splinter. He named
after his favorite artists of the Renaissance. In the next
assignment, you will complete four tasks for each of the
ninja turtles!

Leonardo da Vinci
Mona Lisa in the Millennium
Objective: To create a portrait of the "Mona Lisa" as
she would look in Modern times. 2. To observe the
Mona Lisa closely to describe, analyze, and interpret
meanings in the work;
Vocabulary: Renaissance, portrait, sfumato
Materials: A print of the Mona Lisa and other
Renaissance portraits, 12" x 18" construction paper,
paint or colored pencils

Who was Leonardo da Vinci?

He had a keen eye and quick mind that led him to
make important scientific discoveries, yet he never
published his ideas.
He was a gentle vegetarian who loved animals and
despised war, yet he worked as a military engineer
to invent advanced and deadly weapons.
He was one of the greatest painters of the Italian
Renaissance, yet he left only a handful of completed
paintings.
The Mona Lisa is painted in soft colors and everything
appears to be seen through a slight haze. This technique is
called sfumato and is caused by the blurring of outlines.
Compare and contrast the differences in time periods which
might have affected the Mona Lisa, for example Leonardo
could not play a CD to keep her entertained , he hired
musicians to play for her.
Brainstorm a list of ideas that students could use to make
her look as if she lived today. Some examples of my
student's ideas have been... a NY city background and a
cellular phone, a Disneyland background and Mickey ears, A
Toys R Us background and a virtual pet or Beanie Baby in

her hand.
Use paint or colored pencils to create a Mona Lisa that lives
in the new Millennium. keep her recognizable.

Raphael's "St. George fighting the

Dragon"

Objective: Students will create a figure drawing that

shows action.
Vocabulary: Renaissance, model, figure drawing,
battle, motion
Materials: 12" x 18" drawing paper, charcoal
pencils
Raphael Sanzio, usually known by his first name was an Italian
painter and architect of the High Renaissance, celebrated for the
perfection and grace of his paintings and drawings. Together with
Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci he forms the traditional trinity of
great masters of that period.[
Raphael was enormously productive and, despite his early death at
thirty-seven, a large body of his work remains, especially in the
Vatican. He was extremely influential in his lifetime, but after his death
the influence of his great rival Michelangelo was more widespread until
the 18th and 19th centuries, when his more serene and harmonious
qualities were again regarded as the highest models.
Raphael's painting showed realistic looking people with plenty of
motion and animation. Many of the subjects of Renaissance paintings
were religious, portraits or showed historical battles. Raphael used
various concepts and art elements that this painting exemplifies
especially the use of light and shadow. Raphael is best known for his
Madonnas and for his large figure compositions in the Vatican in Rome.
His work is admired for its clarity of form and ease of composition.

Task:

Create a work of art! sketch a drawing using figure drawing techniques

based of Raphaels style and realism.

Donatello
Objective: To sculpt a figure.
Vocabulary: sculpture, Renaissance,
marble,bronze, relief , wood,
schiacciato
Materials: three 9"x12" sheets of
aluminum foil, tape, white modeling
clay, toothpicks, scissors
Procedure: Donatello was an Italian sculptor,
a major innovator in RENAISSANCE art. His
sculptures are known for their strong,
humanistic expression. Donatello worked in
marble, bronze, relief and wood. He developed
a shallow relief technique (schiacciato) with
which he achieved effects of spatial depth.

Donatello (Donato di Niccol di Betto Bardi; c. 1386

December 13, 1466) was a famous early
Renaissance Italian artist and sculptor from
Florence.

Procedure: Donatello was an Italian

sculptor, a major innovator in
RENAISSANCE art. His sculptures are known for their strong,
humanistic expression. Donatello worked in marble, bronze,
relief and wood. He developed a shallow relief technique
(schiacciato) with which he achieved effects of spatial depth.
1. Roll each sheet of foil tightly. Twist two rolls together to
form the body and legs. Add another roll to form the arms.
Trim the rolls if needed.
2. Tape the rolls in place.
3. Cover the frame a bit at a time with piece of modeling
clay. Use a toothpick to shape the figure and to add features

such as eyes or the chin. Add extra amounts of clay in

certain areas to suggest fullness such as in the folds of a
garment.
4. With clay, make an oval or rectangular base about one
eight inch thick. Place your figure on the base , If needed
add more clay to support the figure.

MICHELANGELO
Go to the following website:
http://www.michelangelo.com/buon/bio-index2.html This is a great website! Its so
thorough you wont need to check out any books from the library. Give yourself plenty
of time to check out all the wonderful works of art by clicking on the highlighted items.
You might find the reading rather long, but remember this will keep you from making a
trip to the library or purchasing expensive materials.
Explore Early Life 1475-1504
1.

Early Days

Define PATRONAGE. How did patronage impact Michelangelos life?

Challenge Question: Do you think patronage is a good idea? Why or Why not?

Define TACITURN. Describe the events that might have caused Michelangelo
to behave in this manner.

Challenge Question: What do you think was the most difficult circumstance of
his youth? Give reasons for your answer.

Michelangelo studied painting and sculpture in his youth. What did he study that
was forbidden by The Church? (The Church here refers to the Roman Catholic
Church)

Challenge Question: Why do you think The Church took this stance? Give
reasons for your answers.

II.

Politics and Art

Who was Lorenzo the Magnificent? What influence did he have on art and
culture during his lifetime?

Who was Savonarola? What influence did he have on art and culture during his
lifetime?

Challenge question: Can you think of any other rulers through out history that
have come to power through fear, intimidation and a promise to cleanse the
culture? Name common characteristics that allowed them to come to power.

III.

Works of Art

How old (approximately) was Michelangelo when he finished Pieta? What is it

made of? The Pieta, meaning pity, is displayed where? This work of art is
unique in that it is his only work that he put what on? How did he later feel about
his actions?

As you scroll down, click on the image of David. View this magnificent work of
art and then return to the text. Describe the symbolism that this sculpture held for
Michelangelo.

List the ideals that Michelangelo wanted to convey to his countrymen.

Challenge Question: How has art influenced your thinking? The most obvious
works might be political cartoons, but have you ever seen other works of art that
caused you to feel happy, sad, angry, etc.?