Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 31: Archangel Michael

by Natalia Goncharova

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 Natalia Goncharova's vividly colored 'Archangel Michael,' the Archangel St. Michael rides a winged Pegasus under a bright star. He holds a Bible and scales in one hand blows a trumpet using the other. Some believe St. Michael will call all people to be judged for the Biblical Last Judgment. He will then weigh their souls on his scales to determine who goes to heaven and who goes to hell.

Vocabulary

Archangel: An angel of high rank.
Pegasus: A winged horse.
Bible: A book of Christian scriptures.
Scales: An instrument for weighing.
Trumpet: A brass musical instrument with a flared bell.
Heaven: A place regarded by some religions as the abode of God (or gods) and the angels, and of the good after death, often traditionally depicted as being above the sky.
Hell: A place regarded by some religions as a spiritual realm of evil, often depicted as fiery place beneath the earth where the wicked are punished after death.
Weigh: Find out how heavy something is, typically using scales.
Soul: The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.

Concepts

1. Russian avant-garde artist, Natalia Sergeevna Goncharova, was born in 1881 in Nagaevo, Russian Empire.

2. Zoom in and find Goncharova's country of birth (Russia) on the map of Europe.

3. Goncharova painted, designed costumes and sets, sculpted, and created illustrations.
4. Starting at the age of 20, Goncharova studied sculpture for eight years at Moscow Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.
5. Goncharova became an avant-garde artist, breaking conventions with experimental or unorthodox techniques.
6. Goncharova died in Paris, France in 1962 at the age of 81 after a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

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

• Michael
• Trumpet
• Scales
• Bible
• Pegasus
• Wings (4)
• Mane
• Hooves
• Tail
• City Buildings
• Star
• Hat

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 Artist   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 40 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Activity 5: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 41 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The character is the archangel Michael.

1 / 3

Question 2

What are the characters doing?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The characters are calling people to be judged for the Biblical Last Judgment

2 / 3

Question 3

What is the setting of the painting?

3 / 3

Answer 3

The setting is outdoors near a city, under a bright star.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The character is the archangel Michael.
2. What are the characters doing? The characters are calling people to be judged for the Biblical Last Judgment
3. What is the setting of the painting? The setting is outdoors near a city, under a bright star.

References

'Natalia Goncharova.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'WLA lacma Archangel Michael.' Wikimedia Commons. Commons.wikimedia.org. n.p.