Adventures in Art History Art Adventures    

Lesson 9: Madonna of the Book

by Sandro Botticelli

Directions

Study the painting for one week.

Over the week:

• Look at the painting.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the artist.
• Practice reciting the names of the artist and the painting.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Sandro Botticelli's 'Madonna of the Book' shows the Christian Madonna (Mary, mother of Jesus) holding baby Jesus and reading a book common in the Middle Ages, called the 'Book of Hours.' This book is an illustrated Christian work of prayers, psalms, and texts. Mary wears a beautiful blue robe. Blue is often associated with royalty and heaven. The baby Jesus looks up at his mother. Jesus holds three nails and a crown of thorns, referencing the 'Passion of the Christ,' the time late in Jesus' life up until his death. The background holds a bowl of ripe cherries, figs, and plums, some boxes, and a window revealing trees and a blue sky.

Vocabulary

Madonna: Mary, mother of Jesus.
Psalms: A sacred song or hymn.
Prayer: A request for help or expression of thanks addressed to an object of worship.
Royalty: People having the status of a king or queen or a member of their family.

Concepts

Sandro Botticelli painted 'Madonna of the Book.'

1. Botticelli was born in the mid-1440s in Florence, Italy. See his picture below.

2. Find Botticelli's country of birth on the map of Europe below.

3. The 1440s were a part of the early Renaissance-era. The Renaissance is a period in European history from the 1400s to the 1700, characterized by a wider availability of books to the general populace and the rebirth in learning in the arts, mathematics, and the sciences.
4. Botticelli first worked as an apprentice goldsmith and then as an apprentice painter.
5. By his forties, Botticelli earned the title of master painter.
6. Botticelli died in 1510 at the age of 64.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

During the week, study the painting and find the following:

• Baby
• Mary
• Bowl
• Fruit
• Book of Hours
• Trees
• Boxes
• Three Nails
• Crown of Thorns

Activity 2: Narrate the Painting

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

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the vocabulary words, point them out in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 14 of 'Kindergarten Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 6

Answer 1

The baby Jesus and his mother Mary.

1 / 6

Question 2

What is the setting of the painting?

2 / 6

Answer 2

Inside a building, next to a window.

2 / 6

Question 3

What is Mary doing with the 'Book of Hours'?

3 / 6

Answer 3

She pages through it, perhaps reading it aloud.

3 / 6

Question 4

What does the baby Jesus hold?

4 / 6

Answer 4

Three nails and a crown of thorns.

4 / 6

Question 5

What types of fruit are in the bowl?

5 / 6

Answer 5

Cherries, figs, and plums.

5 / 6

Question 6

What do you see outside the window?

6 / 6

Answer 6

Trees and blue sky.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The baby Jesus and his mother Mary.
2. What is the setting of the painting? Inside a building, next to a window.
3. What is Mary doing with the 'Book of Hours'? She pages through it, perhaps reading it aloud.
4. What does the baby Jesus hold? Three nails and a crown of thorns.
5. What types of fruit are in the bowl? Cherries, figs, and plums.
6. What do you see outside the window? Trees and blue sky.

References

'Sandro Botticelli.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.