Introduction

Michelangelo, The Sistine Chapel, 1512

The Renaissance, the period from the 14th to the 17th century in Europe was, as the term means, a "rebirth."  Scholars became more interested in studying the world around them. Artists became interested in realism. New worlds were explored.

There was a revolution in painting, sculpture and architecture.  Humanity was celebrated as the apogee of God's creation.  

Some of the most famous and and enduring masterpieces of art have emerged from this time.  

It was a time of discovery, a time of great art - yet it was also a time like any other, a time in which real people lived and worked, and ate and played. We know that many of them kept journals - Leonardo DaVinci's journals are famous. Why, if they lived today, I bet they'd keep blogs...

I wonder what they would write about?

Task

Your task is to create a blog for a Renaissance artist. He can be from any country, and work in any medium. You'll need to research him - to understand a little about his life. Here are some websites that can help you in your choice -


Key Innovations and Artists of the Italian Renaissance

Renaissance Artists

Renaissance Art: Artists, artworks and biographies

Albrecht Durer, self portrait, 1498

Process - Step 1

Okay, you've decided on your artist.  Now, to the nuts and bolts.

CREATING YOUR BLOG:

1. Log onto blogger.com

2. Click on the orange arrow

3. Enter your email address twice in the boxes

4. Make a password and enter it twice

5. In the display name box, type in your artist's name

6. Decipher the funny letters and go to the next page.

7. When it asks for the title, use your artist's name.

8. The address should be your artist's name, with no spaces and your favorite number at the end. Check for availability. If it isn't available(unlikely) chose one of the suggested addresses.

9. Decipher the funny letters, and go to the next page.

10. Pick a template, and you are ready to start blogging!

reinactors doing the Gaillard

Process - Step 2

detail of Florentine painting

You'll need three posts on your blog.  In the first,  you should introduce your artist.  He should talk about his life, mention some things you've discovered in your research. Does he have a family? Where does he live? What is everyday life like?  Here are some websites to help you.

Family Life During the Renaissance

Warfare in the Renaissance

The Black Death

In the second, he is attending a party. What is he going to wear? What are people doing? Are they playing games? Dancing?  What are they talking about?

Medieval and Renaissance Instruments

Medieval Games and Gaming Equipment

Costumers Manifesto

Medieval and Renaissance Food

In the third, he should talk about his art. How does he make it? What other works has he done? What are his challenges?

Art Web Sites: Renaissance Art

Parmigianino, "Antea", 1528

Jacopo Tintoretto, "Constantinople", 1518

Evaluation

yours truly, in a renaissance dress of her own design

4 - Excellent:

At least three details in each entry, revealing an understanding of the artist's specific situation, location and media.

One picture in each entry.

Use of clear grammar, good spelling and punctuation and complete sentences throughout.

Obvious show of effort, research and engagement in the WebQuest.

3 - Good:

Two or more details in each entry, some clear knowledge of the artist displayed.

Some pictures used.

Overall good grammar spelling and punctuation.

A good effort, and reasonable show of research, effort and engagement.

2- Minimal:

Less than two details in each entry, only minimal knowledge of the artist displayed

No use of pictures.

Little attention to mechanics of language.

Minimal effort.

1- Unsatisfactory:

Incomplete, insufficient entries, or clear lack of research.

Conclusion

Following the lesson, I would like each artist to chose another artist's blog to comment on, in the "voice" of their own artist.  This is not going to be graded, but I'd like to spend the next few weeks responding back and forth between blogs. 

At the conclusion, we will have a class discussion of the experience.

Leonardo daVinci, Vitruvian Man, 1490's