Adventures in Art History Art Adventures    

Lesson 11: Annunciation

by Sandro Botticelli

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 Sandro Botticelli's 'Annunciation,' he portrays the angel Gabriel rushing to tell Mary that she is to become the mother of Jesus. Gabriel holds an olive branch in his hand, which may symbolize peace between God and man. The term 'annunciation' means 'an announcement.' Showing humility, Mary bows as she receives the news. Golden rays of light shine down from heaven bearing the good news. Botticelli painted the pillars and arches in the background in linear perspective, lending a three-dimensional feeling to the work.

Vocabulary

Annunciation: An announcement.
Gabriel: An angel in the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths who acts as a messenger of God.
Olive Branch: The branch of an olive tree, traditionally regarded as a symbol of peace.
Humility: A modest or low view of one's own importance.
Three-dimensional: Having or appearing to have length, breadth, and depth.

Concepts

Sandro Botticelli painted 'Annunciation.'

1. Botticelli was born in the mid-1440s in Florence, Italy. See his picture below.

2. Find Botticelli's country of birth on the map of Europe below.

3. The 1440s were a part of the early Renaissance-era. The Renaissance is a period in European history from the 1400s to the 1700, characterized by a wider availability of books to the general populace and the rebirth in learning in the arts, mathematics, and the sciences.
4. Botticelli first worked as an apprentice goldsmith and then as an apprentice painter.
5. By his forties, Botticelli earned the title of master painter.
6. Botticelli died in 1510 at the age of 64.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

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

• Ray of Light
• Angel
• Mary
• Halos
• Pillars
• Arches
• Olive Branch

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 Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 16 of 'Kindergarten Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The angel Gabriel and Mary.

1 / 5

Question 2

What is the angel doing?

2 / 5

Answer 2

Rushing to speak with Mary.

2 / 5

Question 3

Who is the light shining on?

3 / 5

Answer 3

Mary.

3 / 5

Question 4

What is Mary doing?

4 / 5

Answer 4

She bows with humility.

4 / 5

Question 5

Who has a halo in the painting?

5 / 5

Answer 5

Both the angel and Mary.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The angel Gabriel and Mary.
2. What is the angel doing? Rushing to speak with Mary.
3. Who is the light shining on? Mary.
4. What is Mary doing? She bows with humility.
5. Who has a halo in the painting? Both the angel and Mary.

References

'Sandro Botticelli.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.