UNIT 2

Madonna with Child and Angels

Task 1. You are at the exam in art school. Describe Masaccio’s style and his masterpiece.

NOTE 1: Make use of prompts 1 (prompt questions), 2 (a plan of a picture description) or 3 (a sample description) depending on your readiness to describe a Renaissance painting.

KEY NOTE: If you find describing a picture a rather challenging task for yourself, please, refer to the following texts for information about Renaissance painting, and what artists paint or subject matter of a painting.

Sandro Botticelli (1445 –1510)

Primavera

(Allegory of spring)

Task 2. Being a student of an art school you were asked to describe the picture “Primavera” by Sandro Botticelli in order to get a credit. Talk about time it was created and the style of the painter.

NOTE 2: Make use of prompts 1 (prompt questions), 2 (a plan of a picture description) or 3 (a sample description) depending on your readiness to describe a Renaissance painting.

Sistine Madonna

TASK 3: Pretend that the “Sistine Madonna” by Raphael is your favourite Renaissance painting. Give a talk on your favourite picture offering good reasons for your preferences.

NOTE 3: Make use of prompts 1 (prompt questions), 2 (a plan of a picture description) or 3 (a sample description) depending on your readiness to describe a Renaissance painting.

Mona Lisa

TASK 4. You are eager to work as a guide at art gallery. You have an interview and are asked to describe the Renaissance masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci.

NOTE 4: Make use of prompts 1 (prompt questions), 2 (a plan of a picture description) or 3 (a sample description) depending on your readiness to describe a Renaissance painting.

David

Task 5. You are a guide in the Museum of Louvre. Describe the masterpiece by Michelangelo to the tourists

NOTE 5: Make use of prompts 1 (prompt questions), 2 (a plan of a picture description) or 3 (a sample description) depending on your readiness to describe a Renaissance painting.

The Disrobing of Christ or El Expolio

TASK 6. You participate in the world art conference. Make a brief presentation of your favourite Old Master, El Greco and describe his masterpiece offering good reasons for your preference.

NOTE 6: Make use of prompts 1 (prompt questions), 2 (a plan of a picture description) or 3 (a sample description) depending on your readiness to describe a Renaissance painting.

Titian (1473/1490-1576)

Bacchus and Ariadne

TASK 7. You have just come back from London where you visited the National Gallery. Tell your friend about the picture “Bacchus and Ariadne” by Titian as it impressed you most of all.

NOTE 7: Make use of prompts 1 (prompt questions), 2 (a plan of a picture description) or 3 (a sample description) depending on your readiness to describe a Renaissance painting.

Self-Portrait

(Self Portrait at Twenty-Eight Years Old Wearing a Coat with Fur Collar)

Task 8: You are a famous art critic, you were invited to take part in an intellectual TV show. Now you are asked to make a description of “Self Portrait at Twenty-Eight Years Old Wearing a Coat with Fur Collar”. Try and do your best.

NOTE 8: Make use of prompts 1 (prompt questions), 2 (a plan of a picture description) or 3 (a sample description) depending on your readiness to describe a Renaissance painting.