Painters Born in the 1800s 1800s Painters    

Lesson 18: Azure Grotto, Naples

by Ivan Aivazovsky

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

Ivan Aivazovsky's 'Azure Grotto, Naples,' shows 'The Blue Grotto,' a sea cave off an island in southern Italy. Due to interactions between light and water, only blue light enters the cave and items submerged in the grotto's waters look silver.

Vocabulary

Cave: A large underground chamber, typically of natural origin, in a hillside or cliff.
Grotto: A natural or artificial cave, often near water.
Italy: A boot-shaped country in southern Europe.
Island: A piece of land surrounded by water.

Concepts

1. Russian Romantic painter, Ivan Aivazovsky, was born in 1817 in Feodosia, Russian Empire.

2. Zoom in and find Aivazovsky's country of birth (Russia) on the map of Europe.

3. When Aivazovsky was 16, he moved to the Russian capital, Saint Petersburg, to study at the Imperial Academy of Arts.
4. Aivazovsky became a marine master artist. Many of Aivazovsky's works feature the beauty and power of the sea, a common theme in Romantic art.
5. He painted over 6000 paintings in his lifetime.
6. He died in 1900 in his birthplace of Feodosia at the age of 82.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

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

• Grotto Entrance/Exit
• Rowboats (2)
• Water
• Grotto
• Lantern
• Rock Walls
• Rock Arches

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 25 of 'First Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 3

Answer 1

The characters are people in rowboats exploring the grotto.

1 / 3

Question 2

What is the setting of the painting?

2 / 3

Answer 2

The setting is a grotto near Naples, Italy.

2 / 3

Question 3

What are the sources of light in the painting?

3 / 3

Answer 3

Light shines through the grotto exit. In addition, light comes from a lit lantern.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? The characters are people in rowboats exploring the grotto.
2. What is the setting of the painting? The setting is a grotto near Naples, Italy.
3. What are the sources of light in the painting? Light shines through the grotto exit. In addition, light comes from a lit lantern.

References

'Ivan Aivazovsky.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Azure Grotto, Naples.' Wikiart. Wikiart.org. n.p.