Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 11: Renaissance - Bacchus and Ariadne (1520-1523)

by Titian

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 artist Titian painted the next Renaissance artwork, "Bacchus and Ariadne," between 1520-1523. Set on the Greek island of Naxos, the god Bacchus leaps from a chariot to rescue the Cretan princess Ariadne from two cheetahs. Trailing behind Bacchus is a group of his revelers. Sparkling above Ariadne is the constellation, "Northern Crown" (Corona Borealis). In the foreground, a King Charles Spaniel barks at a young satyr.

Vocabulary

Titian: A sixteenth century Italian painter, Tiziano Vecellio.
Bacchus: The Greek mythological god of wine and vivid social gatherings.
Ariadne: The daughter of King Minos of Crete and his queen, Pasiphae in Greek mythology.
Mythology: The collection of myths of a people, concerning the origin of the people, history, deities, ancestors and heroes.
Greek Mythology: The collection of myths of the ancient Greeks.
Chariot: A two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle.
Cretan: Of or relating to Crete or its inhabitants.
Constellation: An arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure or pattern.
Satyr: A woodland creature with pointed ears, legs, and short horns of a goat and a fondness for unrestrained revelry.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Renaissance
2. Timeline - 14th century to the 17th century

Renaissance Movement Characteristics:

1. Better Use of Proportion: For example, objects farther away are painted smaller. ('Saint George and the Dragon' by Raphael between 1504-1506)

2. Foreshortening: Shortening lines to enhance perception of depth. Note how the subjects seem to reach out at the viewer. ('The Supper at Emmaus' by Caravaggio in 1601)

3. Sfumato: Gradual blending of tones to enhance three-dimensionality. See the shading of the face, especially around the eyes. (Detail of 'Mona Lisa' by Leonardo da Vinci circa 1503–06)

4. Chiaroscuro: Contrasting light and dark to enhance perception of depth. ('Sacred and Profane Love' by Giovanni Baglione between 1602-1603)

Renaissance Movement Subjects:

1. Biblical Subjects Still Common ('The Creation of Adam' by Michelangelo between 1487-1564)

2. Secular Mythology ('Bacchus and Ariadne' by Titian circa 1520-1523)

3. Secular History ('The Meeting of Leo the Great and Attila' by Raphael in 1514)

Renaissance Architecture:

1. Emphasizes symmetry, proportion, and geometry. (St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy built between 1506-1626)

2. Columns (St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy built between 1506-1626)

3. Pilasters: Decorative columns giving the appearance of supports or pillars.

4. Lintels: Horizontal structural beams spanning the tops of openings between two vertical supports.

5. Domes (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower in Florence, Italy, consecrated in 1436)

6. Niches (Uffizi Palace, Florence circa 1560-81, containing statue of Farinata degli Uberti)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Bacchus
• Ariadne
• The Northern Crown
• Chariot
• King Charles Spaniel
• Satyr
• Constellation
• Revelers
• Cheetahs
• Animal Head
• Urn

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

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

Activity 3: Map the Artwork

Zoom in on the map of Greece to find the Greek islands of Naxos and Crete.

In which sea do Naxos and Crete reside?

Activity 4: Classify the Artwork

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

Activity 5: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 14 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 5

Answer 1

The characters are Ariadne, Bacchus, and his revelers.

1 / 5

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 5

Answer 2

The setting is the Greek island of Naxos.

2 / 5

Question 3

What is the name of the constellation in the sky?

3 / 5

Answer 3

The name of the constellation is 'Northern Crown (Corona Borealis).'

3 / 5

Question 4

To which western art movement does this painting belong?

4 / 5

Answer 4

This painting belongs to the Renaissance art movement.

4 / 5

Question 5

During which century was this artwork created?

5 / 5

Answer 5

Titian created this artwork in the 16th century.

5 / 5

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Ariadne, Bacchus, and his revelers.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is the Greek island of Naxos.
3. What is the name of the constellation in the sky? The name of the constellation is 'Northern Crown (Corona Borealis).'
4. To which western art movement does this painting belong? This painting belongs to the Renaissance art movement.
5. During which century was this artwork created? Titian created this artwork in the 16th century.

References

'Bacchus and Ariadne.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Renaissance Art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Renaissance Architecture.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.