Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 24: Romanticism - The Soul of the Rose (1908)

by John William Waterhouse

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 final example of Romantic art is John William Waterhouse's 1908 painting 'The Soul of the Rose.' A lovely woman inhales the fragrance and caresses the velvety softness to experience the very soul of a pink rose. Her auburn hair is beautifully upswept, her cheeks are flushed, her hand rests against the wall for balance, her eyes are closed, and her expression is divine.

Vocabulary

Soul: The spirit or essence of anything.
Rose: A red, pink, white, or yellow flower of the shrub of the genus Rosa.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Romanticism
2. Timeline - late 1700s-early 1900s

Romanticism Characteristics and Subjects:

1. Passionate Emotions ('The Kiss' by Francesco Hayez in 1859)

2. Nature ('Chalk Cliffs at Ruegen' by Caspar David Friedrich circa 1818-1819)

3. Mysticism ('The Abbey in the Oakwood' by Caspar David Friedrich between 1809-1810)

4. Nationalism ('The Charging Chasseur' by Théodore Géricault circa 1812)

5. Medieval Times ('The Lady of Shalott' by John William Waterhouse in 1888 refers back to medieval Arthurian legend)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Someone Experiencing the Soul of a Rose
• Roses
• Wall
• Petals
• Vines
• Potted Plant
• Window
• Tree
• Something Closed
• Something Soft
• Something Fragrant

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

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

Activity 3: Read Aloud a Verse from Alfred Lord Tennyson's 'Come into the Garde, Maud'

• And the soul of the rose went into my blood,
• As the music clash'd in the hall;
• And long by the garden lake I stood,
• For I heard your rivulet fall
• From the lake to the meadow and on to the wood,
• Our wood, that is dearer than all;

Activity 4: Classify the Artwork

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

Activity 5: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 27 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The lone character is the lovely robed woman.

1 / 5

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The setting is outdoors, next to a wall covered in roses.

2 / 5

Question 3

To which western art movement does this painting belong?

3 / 5

Answer 3

This painting belongs to the Romantic art movement.

3 / 5

Question 4

How is this painting reflective of Romanticism?

4 / 5

Answer 4

The Romantic art movement often idealized nature and portrayed emotions such as serenity.

4 / 5

Question 5

During which century was this artwork created?

5 / 5

Answer 5

Waterhouse painted this artwork in the 20th century.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The lone character is the lovely robed woman.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is outdoors, next to a wall covered in roses.
3. To which western art movement does this painting belong? This painting belongs to the Romantic art movement.
4. How is this painting reflective of Romanticism? The Romantic art movement often idealized nature and portrayed emotions such as serenity.
5. During which century was this artwork created? Waterhouse painted this artwork in the 20th century.

References

'Romanticism.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.