Adventures in Art History Art Adventures    

Lesson 5: Young Woman with Unicorn

by Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Raphael)

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 'Young Woman with Unicorn,' Raphael portrays a young blonde woman holding a small unicorn. The painting was a wedding gift and features the bride as the subject. The woman wears a burgundy and gold dress and a pendant with a red jewel and a pearl. Snowy mountains framed by pillars decorate the background. The unicorn symbolizes the historical notion of bridal purity.

Vocabulary

Unicorn: A mythical animal that looks like a horse except it has a horn projecting from its forehead.
Wedding: A ceremony where two people unite in marriage.
Bride: A woman on her wedding day.
Pendant: A piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain worn around the neck.
Pillar: A tall vertical structure of stone, wood, or metal.

Concepts

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, commonly known as Raphael, painted 'Young Woman with Unicorn.'

1. Raphael was born in 1483 in Urbino, Marche, Italy. See his picture below.

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

3. Raphael did not have an easy life. By the time he was eleven, both of his parents had died.
4. Raphael demonstrated a talent for art from an early age. He became a famous painter and eventually worked for two Popes. Some of his paintings can be found in the Vatican Palace today. The Vatican Palace is where the Pope, leader of the Catholic Church, lives.
5. Raphael is considered one of the great master artists during the High Renaissance (1490s - 1527), along with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
6. Raphael died in 1520 in Rome, Italy, at the age of 37.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

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

• Pendant
• Red Jewel
• Pearl
• Dress
• Ribbons
• Pillars
• Mountains
• Unicorn
• Horn
• Bride

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: Act Out the Painting - Gallop like a Unicorn

• One day this week, create a unicorn horn.
• Decorate paper with crayons, brightly colored markers, and/or glitter.
• Cut the paper into a triangular shape with a rounded bottom.
• Roll the paper into a cone, and fasten the horn with glue or tape.
• Hold the horn to your head and gallop around the house as a unicorn.

Activity 5: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 9 of 'Kindergarten Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 6

Answer 1

The young woman.

1 / 6

Question 2

What is the setting of the painting?

2 / 6

Answer 2

Outside on a covered terrace or patio.

2 / 6

Question 3

What is the woman holding?

3 / 6

Answer 3

A baby unicorn.

3 / 6

Question 4

What is in the background of the painting?

4 / 6

Answer 4

Snow-capped mountains.

4 / 6

Question 5

What is the woman wearing?

5 / 6

Answer 5

A burgundy and gold dress and a pendant with a red jewel and a pearl.

5 / 6

Question 6

What is the expression on the woman's face?

6 / 6

Answer 6

She is not smiling. She looks solemn.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The young woman.
2. What is the setting of the painting? Outside on a covered terrace or patio.
3. What is the woman holding? A baby unicorn.
4. What is in the background of the painting? Snow-capped mountains.
5. What is the woman wearing? A burgundy and gold dress and a pendant with a red jewel and a pearl.
6. What is the expression on the woman's face? She is not smiling. She looks solemn.

References

'Raphael.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.