Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 10: Renaissance - Saint George and the Dragon (1504-1506)

by Raphael

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

We continue the study of Renaissance art with 'Saint George and the Dragon,' painted by Raphael between 1504-1506. Saint George and his charging steed battle a ferocious winged dragon to rescue a haloed lady in pink. Saint George wears a suit of armor and a helmet topped by a golden halo. He pierces the snarling dragon with his lance. Trees and tall buildings rise up from the horizon in the distance.

Vocabulary

Armor: The metal coverings formerly worn by soldiers or warriors to protect the body.
Lance: A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle and a steel blade or head.
Helmet: A hard or padded protective hat.
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.
Spur: A rigid implement that is fixed to one's heel for the purpose of prodding a horse.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Renaissance
2. Timeline - 14th century to the 17th century

Renaissance Movement Characteristics:

1. Better Use of Proportion: For example, objects farther away are painted smaller. ('Saint George and the Dragon' by Raphael between 1504-1506)

2. Foreshortening: Shortening lines to enhance perception of depth. Note how the subjects seem to reach out at the viewer. ('The Supper at Emmaus' by Caravaggio in 1601)

3. Sfumato: Gradual blending of tones to enhance three-dimensionality. See the shading of the face, especially around the eyes. (Detail of 'Mona Lisa' by Leonardo da Vinci circa 1503–06)

4. Chiaroscuro: Contrasting light and dark to enhance perception of depth. ('Sacred and Profane Love' by Giovanni Baglione between 1602-1603)

Renaissance Movement Subjects:

1. Biblical Subjects Still Common ('The Creation of Adam' by Michelangelo between 1487-1564)

2. Secular Mythology ('Bacchus and Ariadne' by Titian circa 1520-1523)

3. Secular History ('The Meeting of Leo the Great and Attila' by Raphael in 1514)

Renaissance Architecture:

1. Emphasizes symmetry, proportion, and geometry. (St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy built between 1506-1626)

2. Columns (St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy built between 1506-1626)

3. Pilasters: Decorative columns giving the appearance of supports or pillars.

4. Lintels: Horizontal structural beams spanning the tops of openings between two vertical supports.

5. Domes (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower in Florence, Italy, consecrated in 1436)

6. Niches (Uffizi Palace, Florence circa 1560-81, containing statue of Farinata degli Uberti)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Saint George
• Dragon
• Lady
• 2 Haloes
• Saddle
• Armor
• Spur
• Bridle
• Lance

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

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

Activity 3: Classify the Artwork

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

Activity 4: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 13 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The characters are Saint George, the lady, and the dragon.

1 / 4

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The setting is outdoors on the outskirts of a rural village.

2 / 4

Question 3

To which western art movement does this painting belong?

3 / 4

Answer 3

This painting belongs to the Renaissance art movement.

3 / 4

Question 4

During which century was this artwork created?

4 / 4

Answer 4

Raphael created this artwork in the 16th century.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Saint George, the lady, and the dragon.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is outdoors on the outskirts of a rural village.
3. To which western art movement does this painting belong? This painting belongs to the Renaissance art movement.
4. During which century was this artwork created? Raphael created this artwork in the 16th century.

References

'Renaissance Art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Renaissance Architecture.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.