Adventures in Art History Art Adventures    

Lesson 1: Saint George Struggling with the Dragon

by Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Raphael)

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

In Raphael's 'Saint George Struggling with the Dragon,' Saint George sits atop a rearing steed and battles a ferocious black dragon to rescue a blonde princess wearing a golden crown. Saint George wears green armor, a velvet cape, and a helmet blooming with green and gold feathers. He raises a wicked looking sword as the dragon snarls and lunges at him. The battle has been ongoing, evident from the broken lance jutting from the dragon's chest.

Vocabulary

Armor: The metal coverings formerly worn by soldiers or warriors to protect the body.
Lance: A long weapon for thrusting.
Helmet: A hard or padded protective hat.
Cape: A sleeveless cloak.
Rearing (horse): Raising itself upright on its hind legs.
Saddle: A seat fastened on the back of a horse.
Bridle: The headgear used to control a horse.

Concepts

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, commonly known as Raphael, painted 'Saint George Struggling with the Dragon.'

1. Raphael was born in 1483 in Urbino, Marche, Italy. See his picture below.

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

3. Raphael did not have an easy life. By the time he was eleven, both of his parents had died.
4. Raphael demonstrated a talent for art from an early age. He became a famous painter and eventually worked for two Popes. Some of his paintings can be found in the Vatican Palace today. The Vatican Palace is where the Pope, leader of the Catholic Church, lives.
5. Raphael is considered one of the great master artists during the High Renaissance (1490s - 1527), along with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
6. Raphael died in 1520 in Rome, Italy, at the age of 37.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

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

• Knight
• Princess
• Horse
• Dragon
• Wings
• Tail
• Sword
• Helmet
• Armor
• Lance
• Crown
• Trees
• Hills
• Saddle
• Bridle

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: Act Out the Painting - Dragon Hide and Seek

• One day this week, imagine you are the knight.
• Like the knight, dress in a pretend helmet (hat), cape (pillowcase), and armor (coat).
• Have one person hide a stuffed animal (dragon).
• Have others hunt down and battle the dragon to save the princess.

Activity 5: Color the Artist   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 4 of 'Kindergarten Art History Coloring Book.'

Activity 6: Color the Painting   

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

Review

Question 1

Who are the human characters in the painting?

1 / 7

Answer 1

The human characters are the knight and the princess.

1 / 7

Question 2

What is the setting of the painting?

2 / 7

Answer 2

The setting is outdoors in a flat, grassy area surrounded by hills.

2 / 7

Question 3

Which animals are in the painting?

3 / 7

Answer 3

The animals are a dragon and a horse.

3 / 7

Question 4

What is sticking out of the dragon's chest?

4 / 7

Answer 4

One piece of a broken lance protrudes from the dragons' chest.

4 / 7

Question 5

What is the knight doing?

5 / 7

Answer 5

The knight draws his sword back to strike the dragon.

5 / 7

Question 6

What is on the grass under the horse?

6 / 7

Answer 6

Pieces of a broken lance rest on the grass under the horse.

6 / 7

Question 7

What evidence leads us to believe the woman is a princess or some type of royalty?

7 / 7

Answer 7

She wears a golden crown.

7 / 7

❮ ❯

1. Who are the human characters in the painting? The human characters are the knight and the princess.
2. What is the setting of the painting? The setting is outdoors in a flat, grassy area surrounded by hills.
3. Which animals are in the painting? The animals are a dragon and a horse.
4. What is sticking out of the dragon's chest? One piece of a broken lance protrudes from the dragons' chest.
5. What is the knight doing? The knight draws his sword back to strike the dragon.
6. What is on the grass under the horse? Pieces of a broken lance rest on the grass under the horse.
7. What evidence leads us to believe the woman is a princess or some type of royalty? She wears a golden crown.

References

'Raphael.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.