Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 17: Neoclassicism - Scene with Miranda and Ferdinand from 'The Tempest' (1782)

by Angelika Kauffmann

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

The next four lessons move forward in time to 1760-1830 and the Neoclassical era of art. In part inspired by Roman and Greek ruins, Neoclassical artists harkened back to the classical art and architecture of Ancient Rome and Greece. In contrast to the Baroque era's emphasis on extravagance and asymmetry, Neoclassical art and architecture returned to simplicity, harmony, proportion, and balance. Art pondered deeper meanings, rather than overwhelming the senses with color and detail. Common themes include works of fiction, Greek and Roman mythology, and history paintings. The first example of Neoclassical art is Swiss painter Angelika Kauffmann's 1782 depiction of the island shipwrecked lovers Miranda and Ferdinand from William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest.' In the background, Miranda's father, Prospero, watches over the young couple. In the scene, Miranda offers to help Ferdinand carry some wood for Prospero, but he refuses, believing it beneath her. Later in the conversation, Miranda and Ferdinand reveal their mutual love and decide to marry.

Vocabulary

Neoclassical: Of pertaining to a style of architecture based on classical models, especially such a style of the 18th century.
Antiquity: Ancient times.
Classical Antiquity: The era of the height of Greco-Roman civilization in southern Europe, roughly comprising the 6th century BC to the 5th century (AD).
Tempest: A storm, especially one with severe winds.
Portico: A porch, or a small space with a roof supported by columns, serving as the entrance to a building.
Colonnade: A series of columns at regular intervals.
Capital: The uppermost part of a column.
Frieze: Any sculptured or richly ornamented band in a building or, by extension, in rich pieces of furniture.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Neoclassical
2. Timeline - 1700s-1800s

Neoclassical Movement Characteristics:

1. Inspired by Antiquity ('The Death of Socrates' [4] by Jacques-Louis David in 1787)

2. Simplicity - Line Drawings and Prints ('Scene in Homer's Iliad' by John Flaxman in 1795)

Neoclassical Movement Subjects:

1. Fiction ('King Lear in the Storm' by Benjamin West in 1788)

2. Greek and Roman Mythology ('The Fight Between Mars and Minerva' by Jacques Louis David in 1771)

3. History Painting ('The Death of General Wolfe' by Benjamin West in 1770 [5])

Neoclassical Architecture:

1. Colonnades - Series of Columns (The Madeleine Church in Paris, France, completed in 1828)

2. Porticos - Small Spaces with Roofs Supported by Columns (Portico of the U.S. White House, built starting in 1792)

3. Capital - Uppermost Part of Column (Capital with bundled corn stalks installed in the U.S. Capitol Building in 1809)

4. Friezes (Academy of Athens in Athens, Greece, designed in 1859)

5. Flat Roofs and Straight Lines (Altes Museum in Berlin, Germany built between 1823 and 1830)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Miranda
• Ferdinand
• Prospero
• Miranda's Father
• Two People in Love
• Something Miranda Offers to Carry

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

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

Activity 3: Read Aloud an Excerpt of Act III, scene i from 'The Tempest'

MIRANDA

• If you'll sit down,
• I'll bear your logs the while: pray, give me that;
• I'll carry it to the pile.

FERDINAND

• No, precious creature;
• I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,
• Than you should such dishonor undergo,
• While I sit lazy by.

Activity 4: Classify the Artwork

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

Activity 5: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 20 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The characters are Miranda, Ferdinand, and Prospero.

1 / 5

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The setting is outdoors on an island.

2 / 5

Question 3

To which western art movement does this painting belong?

3 / 5

Answer 3

This painting belongs to the Neoclassical art movement.

3 / 5

Question 4

How is this painting reflective of the Neoclassical art movement?

4 / 5

Answer 4

The Neoclassical art movement often featured literature, such as the works of Shakespeare.

4 / 5

Question 5

During which century was this artwork created?

5 / 5

Answer 5

Kauffmann painted this artwork in the 18th century.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Miranda, Ferdinand, and Prospero.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is outdoors on an island.
3. To which western art movement does this painting belong? This painting belongs to the Neoclassical art movement.
4. How is this painting reflective of the Neoclassical art movement? The Neoclassical art movement often featured literature, such as the works of Shakespeare.
5. During which century was this artwork created? Kauffmann painted this artwork in the 18th century.

References

'Socrates.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Neoclassical Art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Neoclassical Architecture.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

Note: Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher who was sentenced to death in 399 BC for his beliefs and teachings.

Note: General Wolfe a British General who fought and died in 1759 during the Seven Years' War.