Introduction to the Renaissance: "The Alba Madonna" by Raphael
Today the students examined two paintings of Mary and Jesus:
Several perceptive students pointed out that both sets of figures have halos -- although the halos in Raphael's work are so soft and subtle that they often escape notice!
Here are a few of the excellent observations and questions:
Carter V., John, Isabel, Wynter, Eli, and Carter L.: Jesus and Mary are sitting on a beautifully carved golden throne. In the Bible story, weren't Mary and Joseph poor? And isn't Mary supposed to be humble?
Lydia, Zoë, and Dylan: Mary looks so sad, and everyone looks solemn and serious. Why?
Eloise and Lily L.: Jesus looks more like a miniature man than a realistic baby. He has so much hair!
Catalina: The people in this painting are not three dimensional and don't have any shadows -- except for the four men at the bottom, who look much more realistic.
Liam, Cole, Caroline, and Lilly B.: The main color of the painting is gold. Joe: The golden color represents the holiness and importance of Mary and Jesus.
Biruk and Diego: The painter made Mary so much bigger than all of the other people. She really stands out.
Ford, Dearing, Kendall and Max: The men at the bottom are holding scrolls. What could they say? Are they the Torah? What about the scroll that Jesus is holding -- what does it say?
Sam and Joey: Why are the people on different levels? Does that have something to do with a story from the Bible?
The Alba Madonna, by Raphael
Lili B.: The way that he's kneeling, it seems like John the Baptist is praying to baby Jesus.
Wynter: Mary is holding a book. Did the real Mary know how to read?
Grant: Jesus looks very intelligent, for a baby.
Cameron: The people are looking at each other, instead of looking at you.
John: The book looks so realistic. Davis: The buildings in the background look so realistic. Catalina: Mary looks so realistic.
Davis: The main colors of Raphael's painting are blue and pink. Mary's dress makes her pop out from everything else in the painting.
Annabelle: The colors in this painting really pop.
Asa, Biruk and Jack V.: Mary's blue robe really stands out, and it matches the blues of the sky, the mountains and the flowers.
Bjorn and Matteo: Why did the painter include almost unseen, ominous shadows in the woods? Are they to signify that bad things will happen to Jesus?
Kelsey: Why are Mary and Jesus just sitting outside, in a random field?
Eloise, James, Fletcher and Kalani: Why is Jesus holding a cross? Does he already know that he's going to be crucified?
Ellen and Lydia: Why did Raphael choose to make this a circular painting?
- Cimabue's Madonna Enthroned (an example of a medieval painting)
- Raphael's Alba Madonna (an example of a Renaissance painting)
-----------
Several perceptive students pointed out that both sets of figures have halos -- although the halos in Raphael's work are so soft and subtle that they often escape notice!
Here are a few of the excellent observations and questions:
Madonna Enthroned, by Cimabue
Carter V., John, Isabel, Wynter, Eli, and Carter L.: Jesus and Mary are sitting on a beautifully carved golden throne. In the Bible story, weren't Mary and Joseph poor? And isn't Mary supposed to be humble?
Lydia, Zoë, and Dylan: Mary looks so sad, and everyone looks solemn and serious. Why?
Eloise and Lily L.: Jesus looks more like a miniature man than a realistic baby. He has so much hair!Catalina: The people in this painting are not three dimensional and don't have any shadows -- except for the four men at the bottom, who look much more realistic.
Biruk and Diego: The painter made Mary so much bigger than all of the other people. She really stands out.
Ford, Dearing, Kendall and Max: The men at the bottom are holding scrolls. What could they say? Are they the Torah? What about the scroll that Jesus is holding -- what does it say?
Sam and Joey: Why are the people on different levels? Does that have something to do with a story from the Bible?
The Alba Madonna, by RaphaelWynter: Mary is holding a book. Did the real Mary know how to read?
Grant: Jesus looks very intelligent, for a baby.
Cameron: The people are looking at each other, instead of looking at you.
John: The book looks so realistic. Davis: The buildings in the background look so realistic. Catalina: Mary looks so realistic.
Davis: The main colors of Raphael's painting are blue and pink. Mary's dress makes her pop out from everything else in the painting.
Annabelle: The colors in this painting really pop.Asa, Biruk and Jack V.: Mary's blue robe really stands out, and it matches the blues of the sky, the mountains and the flowers.
Bjorn and Matteo: Why did the painter include almost unseen, ominous shadows in the woods? Are they to signify that bad things will happen to Jesus?
Kelsey: Why are Mary and Jesus just sitting outside, in a random field?
Eloise, James, Fletcher and Kalani: Why is Jesus holding a cross? Does he already know that he's going to be crucified?
Ellen and Lydia: Why did Raphael choose to make this a circular painting?
Comments
Post a Comment