Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 8: Gothic - Saint Michael, Martyrdom of Saint Eulalia, and Saint Catherine (1442-1445)

by Bernat Martorell the Elder

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

Bernat Martorell the Elder painted the three-part Gothic altarpiece 'Saint Michael, Martyrdom of Saint Eulalia, and Saint Catherine' between 1442-1445. The left part shows the winged archangel Saint Michael slaying a beast of hell. The center portion shows Saint Eulalia of Mérida surrounded by the Roman governor Dacian and his soldiers. According to legend, Saint Eulalia became a martyr for her Christian beliefs as a young teenager. When she died, a dove flew from her mouth and a miraculous white snow covered her body, frightening her tormentors. The right portion of the artwork shows Saint Catherine of Alexandria. According to her hagiography, she was a princess who converted hundreds of people to Christianity before being martyred by Maxentius, a pagan Roman Emperor. Note: According to [3], some modern scholars believe the story of Saint Catherine was based on the pagan philosopher and mathematician Hypatia who was murdered by an angry mob for her pagan beliefs.

Vocabulary

Altarpiece: A work of art suspended above and behind an altar in a church.
Archangel: A powerful angel that leads many other angels, but is still loyal to a deity.
Martyr: One who willingly gives up to their life for adhering openly to their religious beliefs.
Hagiography: A biography of a saint.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Gothic
2. Timeline - 12th century to the 16th century

Movement Characteristics:

1. Use of Gold Tones to Depict Royalty, the Heavenly, and the Holy ('Ognissanti Madonna' by Giotto in 1306)

2. Subjects Become More Animated and Lifelike ('The Miracle of the Child Falling from the Balcony' by Simone Martini circa 1328)

3. Artwork Expresses Emotion (Tenderness in 'Madonna with Child' by Cimabue between 1283-1284)

4. Three-Dimensional Paintings Showing Depth, Height, and Width

5. Frescoes ('Dancing Peasants' in Härkeberga Church, Sweden by Albertus Pictor circa 1480)

6. Stained Glass ('The Virgin and Child' by Master of Klosterneuburg in 1335)

7. Decorated Manuscripts (Heures de Jeanne d'Evreux by Jean Pucelle between 1325-1328)

8. Gothic Altarpieces and Panel Paintings (Mérode Altarpiece, 'The Annunciation,' by Robert Campin circa 1427-1432)

9. Gothic Monumental Sculptures ('Martyrs Statues' from the Chartres Cathedral circa 13th century)

10. Gothic Portable Sculptures ('Casket with Scenes of Romances' between 1330 and 1350)

Gothic Movement Subjects:

1. Biblical Subjects Still Common ('The Last Supper' by Cimabue circa 1280s)

2. The Virgin Mary ('Madonna and Child' by Jaume Huguet circa 1450)

3. The Saints' Lives ('Saint Michael, Martyrdom of Saint Eulalia and Saint Catherine' by Bernat Martorell between 1442-1445)

4. Rise of Secular Subjects ('Guidoriccio da Fogliano at the Siege of Montemassi' by Simone Martini in 1328)

Gothic Architecture:

1. Taller, Lighter, and Stronger Buildings (Salisbury Cathedral in England)

2. Flying Buttresses (Notre Dame (English - Our Lady) in Paris, France)

3. 6-Part Rib Vaults (The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro in Cornwall, England)

4. Pointed Arch (Notre Dame in Paris, France)

5. Rose Window (Notre Dame in Paris, France)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Saint Michael
• Saint Eulalia of Mérida
• Saint Catherine of Alexandria
• Beast of Hell
• A Princess
• A Young Girl of Around 13
• An Archangel
• Martyrs
• Swords
• Pikes
• Shields
• Haloes
• Crown
• Black Sun
• Spiked Broken Wheel
• Golden Leaves

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

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

Activity 3: Read Prudentius' Recounting of the Words of Saint Eulalia Renouncing the Pagan Gods

• Isis, Apollo and Venus are naught,
• Nor is Maximian anything more;
• Nothing are they, for by hand they were wrought,
• He, for of hands he the work doth adore

Activity 4: Classify the Artwork

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

Activity 5: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 11 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 Michael, Saint Eulalia, the Roman governor Dacian, soldiers, and Saint Catherine.

1 / 4

Question 2

To which western art movement does this artwork belong?

2 / 4

Answer 2

This painting belongs to the Gothic art movement.

2 / 4

Question 3

Which elements of the artwork characterize the Gothic art movement?

3 / 4

Answer 3

The artwork has more depth than Romanesque works, the characters are more lifelike and animated, it prominently uses the color gold (incorporating gold foil), and it features saints.

3 / 4

Question 4

During which century did the artist create this artwork?

4 / 4

Answer 4

The artist created this artwork in the 15th century.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Saint Michael, Saint Eulalia, the Roman governor Dacian, soldiers, and Saint Catherine.
2. To which western art movement does this artwork belong? This painting belongs to the Gothic art movement.
3. Which elements of the artwork characterize the Gothic art movement? The artwork has more depth than Romanesque works, the characters are more lifelike and animated, it prominently uses the color gold (incorporating gold foil), and it features saints.
4. During which century did the artist create this artwork? The artist created this artwork in the 15th century.

References

'Gothic art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Eulalia of Barcelona.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Catherine of Alexandria.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.