What might have happened moments

before…..

Narrative Window

Aim of the project

To produce a short video (drama)

sketch based on the story and

dialogue in the moments leading up

to the chosen Painting.

Step by Step….

Introduction to chosen artists

Research the backround to chosen painting

Divide into groups and allocate characters.

Write up possible dialogue between characters.

Prepare setting, props, costumes (optional) etc.

Practice, rehearse and film.

Selected works……

The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci

Oath of the Horatii- Jacque Louis David

Supper at Emmaus- Carravaggio

Leonardo da Vinci -1452 -1519 High Renaissance

Renaissance - a cultural movement which began in Italy ….Scholars of the time became

interested in how the world works, the art of the time became more realistic concentrating

on nature, real settings and perspective.

The Last Supper- The final meal that Jesus shares with his Disciples before he is crucified

on the cross. Leonardo chooses the moment that Jesus tells them one of them will betray

him.

…a closer look at the painting…

•Repeatedly references the number three …apostles sit in threes…three windows

behind them…the three points of Jesus’s triangular form…perhaps a reference to

the holy trinity

•From the left- Bart, James and Andrew look on in surprise…Judas, Peter and John

are next, Judas carries a money bag and has his arm on the table, Peter yields a

knife and points it away from Jesus perhaps to foretell the aggression that is to

happen in the garden of Gethsemene, Young John swoons in shock. After Jesus is

Thomas (upset), James (stunned with arms in air) and Philip (questioning) Final

grouping is Matthew, Jude who turn to Simon in discussion.

•All diners are seated on one side of the table…to avoid excluding the

viewer…Jesus himself is in the position of vanishing point, all lines, angles and

lighting point to him…

Annunciation- refers to the moment Mary hears that she will become the Mother

of God,a formal arrangement with the Virgin shown reading and sitting to the

right…Angel approaches to the left holding a Lily to represent Purity…an early

work by Leonardo…showing attempts at Perspective.

Mona Lisa- La Gioconda, commissioned to cleebrate the birth of the second son

of Lisa and Francesco del Gioconda…popular renaissance pyramid format…arm

rest and arm separates us from the sitter…ambiguous mood is enhanced by

sfumato (blurred outlines around the eyes and mouth) First work to place sitter in

imaginary setting outside an open loggia or balcony…aerial perspective used-

fading out…series of curved lines move back and forth on sleeve, backround

scene and hair.

Virgin on the Rocks- legendary meeting between baby Jesus and John the

baptist on the Flight into Egypt. Mary leads John to Jesus who is seated with Angel

Uriel…typical eerie beauty of Leonardos work…scene is in enchanting landscape

with rock caverns and water pools …

…a quick look at other works…

The Oath of the Horatii :

Jacques-Louis David:1748- 1825.

Neo Classical Art- a movement which looks to the ancient art of Greece and Rome

for its inspiration. The high ideals of classical art became the cornerstone of a new

truth in art which looked to to uncover a sense of moral integrity. It can be described

as highly heroic, courageous and serious. Colours were at times sombre to imply

high morals and self sacrifice.

• This work is set in 699BC, a time when Rome was at war with Alba… it depicts

three members of the Roman Horatii family, (left) who were chosen by their

father(centre) to duel against three members of the Curiatii family from Alba. The

women on the right are either sisters or are married to the men on either side of the

duel. The men show no emotion while the women are overcome with sadness.

•Although painted before the Revolution it became a symbol of loyalty to the French

King and State.

Theme refers to an episode in the

early history of Rome in which an

early generation of Roman men

abducted the women of the

neighboring Sabine families . A

battle ensues between them…this

painting depicts the end of the story

where the women intervene

attempting to reconcile the warring

parties…perhaps a plea for his

people to unite after the bloodshed

of the French Revolution

Awarded the Prix

de Rome in 1774

earning a four year

scholarship... On

returning to France

he became the

official painter of the

French Revolution.

Became court

painter to Napoleon

Bonaparte.

Iconic image of the

French

Revolution…the

assassination of

journalist and

polititian Jean Paul

Marat by Charlotte

Corday a French

Revolutionary

figure. Davids work

strives for grandeur

and truth.

Other works by Jacques Louis David…

The Intervention of the Sabine

WomenDeath of Marat Napoleon

Bonaparte

Caravaggio 1571 - 1610

Supper At Emmaus

Baroque- …usually displays dynamic emotion. It

can also show very high levels of detail in the

rendering of cloth or skin This painting shows a

common religious theme…the moment when the

resurrected Jesus reveals himself to disciples Luke

and Cleophas…they respond in disbelief… Luke

wears a scallopshell a sign of pilgrim… figures are

lifesize and dramatic in their presence…shows the

recurring theme of the everyday event being

interrupted by the awe inspiring happening.

•Achieves a heightened sense of realism that

attempts to observe the human being in both a

physical and emotional way. Creates intense drama

and effect with dramatic use of lighting.

….a closer look at the painting….

…a quick look at some other Carravaggio works…

•The animated moment when

Judas points out who Jesus is

in the garden of

Gethsemene… shows seven

figure- Jesus, St John, Judas

and four soldiers…displays

added depth…a painter of

dramatic chiaroscuro

…developing tenebrism

•The dramatic scene

where Judith kills

Holofernes (the Assyrian

general) to save her

people…scene is set on a

shallow stage theatrically

lit in true Carravaggian

style… …a common theme

of violent struggle, torture

and death…

Judith beheading HolofernesThe Taking of ChristIncredulity of St. Thomas

• Shows the length that Thomas

must go to to accept that Jesus has

risen from the dead.. It is a drama

of disbelief…

•Carravaggio is known for intense

Psychological Realism or

Naturalism…always aimed to

paint as the eye sees it with all

flaws and defects

This Project was done with a Transition Year Class Group-

Stages of development were….

Introduction to chosen artists

Research the backround to chosen painting

Divide into groups and allocate characters.

Write up possible dialogue between characters.

Prepare setting, props, costumes (optional) etc.

Practice, rehearse and film.

It is hoped that….

By looking at the story behind the work the Students gain a thorough understanding of the art piece.

Imagining the dialogue or story pre-ceeding the painting is a good way of remembering the story.

Looking at the artists other works the students get a better understanding of the artist chosen themes and style.

Active learning is inclusive to all abilities in the class.

The students have developed a new appreciation of Art History.

The experience is enjoyable and engages all of the students.