Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 2: Romanesque - The Journey of the Magi (circa 1130-1140)

by Unknown

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's movement.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Around 1130-1140, an unknown artist created 'The Three Magi from the St. Albans Psalter' for an illuminated manuscript of the Book of Psalms. The artist portrays the Biblical Three Magi (the three wise men) riding on horseback and pointing up to the eight-pointed Star of Bethlehem. The appearance of the Star signaled the birth of Jesus and inspired the Three Magi to travel to Bethlehem to worship the newborn king.

Vocabulary

Magi: The Biblical wise men that met and gave gifts to the baby Jesus at the Epiphany (traditionally considered to be three in number and sometimes named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, but in fact unknown in number).
Psalter: The Book of Psalms from the Bible.
Book of Psalms: A collection of 150 ancient songs grouped together to form a book of the Old Testament of the Bible.
Illuminated Manuscript: A decorated and illustrated book or document.
Star of Bethlehem: The bright star in the Gospel of Matthew that lead the 'wise men from the East' to travel to Bethlehem.
St. Albans Psalter: An English illuminated manuscript, one of several psalters known to have been created at or for St. Albans Abbey in the 12th century [2].

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Romanesque
2. Timeline - 11th century to the 12th century

Movement Characteristics:

1. Bright primary colors

2. Flat, two-dimensional paintings with little depth

3. Frescoes

4. Stained Glass

5. Decorated Manuscripts Including Bibles

6. Elaborate Metalwork

7. Sculptures of Wood, Plaster, Ivory, and Stucco

Movement Subjects:

1. Often Biblical, Commonly Featuring Christ

2. The Nativity and the Three Kings

3. The Creation of Man (Adam, Eve, the Serpent, and the Garden of Eden)

4. The Crucifixion

Architecture of the Time:

1. Semicircular Arches

2. Apses

3. Barrel Vaults

4. Spirals

5. Entwined Animals

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Three Magi
• Stirrups
• Reins
• Someone Pointing
• Saddles
• Spurs
• Something Wearing a Bridle
• Something Eight-Pointed
• Three Wise Men
• Star of Bethlehem

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Map the Artwork

Find Bethlehem on the map.

Activity 4: See the Abbey of St. Albans

• St. Albans Abbey is a church located in England.
• The featured artwork is from the St. Albans book of Psalms.

Activity 5: Classify the Artwork

• This artwork belongs to the Romanesque art movement.
• Find the Romanesque art movement on the timeline.
• During which (estimated) years did the Romanesque art movement flourish?
• Which art movement followed the Romanesque art movement?

Activity 6: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 5 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

What is the setting of the artwork?

1 / 7

Answer 1

The setting is outdoors under a starry night sky.

1 / 7

Question 2

Who are the characters in the artwork?

2 / 7

Answer 2

The characters are the Biblical Three Magi.

2 / 7

Question 3

Where are the Three Magi traveling?

3 / 7

Answer 3

The Three Magi are traveling to Bethlehem to visit the baby Jesus.

3 / 7

Question 4

How many points does the Star of Bethlehem have?

4 / 7

Answer 4

The Star of Bethlehem has eight points.

4 / 7

Question 5

What does the Star of Bethlehem signify?

5 / 7

Answer 5

The Star of Bethlehem signifies the birth of the baby Jesus.

5 / 7

Question 6

To which western art movement does this artwork belong?

6 / 7

Answer 6

This painting belongs to the Romanesque art movement.

6 / 7

Question 7

During which century did the artist create this artwork?

7 / 7

Answer 7

The artist created this artwork in the 12th century.

7 / 7

❮ ❯

1. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is outdoors under a starry night sky.
2. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are the Biblical Three Magi.
3. Where are the Three Magi traveling? The Three Magi are traveling to Bethlehem to visit the baby Jesus.
4. How many points does the Star of Bethlehem have? The Star of Bethlehem has eight points.
5. What does the Star of Bethlehem signify? The Star of Bethlehem signifies the birth of the baby Jesus.
6. To which western art movement does this artwork belong? This painting belongs to the Romanesque art movement.
7. During which century did the artist create this artwork? The artist created this artwork in the 12th century.

References

'Romanesque art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'St. Albans Psalter.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.