Art History classes
with Amalia Spiliakou
THURSDAY 21st MARCH 2024, 11-12am
fRENCH ART
Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry is a masterpiece of illuminated manuscript created by the Limbourg brothers, between 1412 and 1416. Commissioned by the Duke of Berry, Jean de France, it consists of intricately detailed illuminations depicting scenes from daily life, the months of the year, and religious events. The manuscript's pages are richly adorned with vibrant colours, gold leaf, and intricate patterns, showcasing the remarkable craftsmanship of the artists. Each page is a visual feast, offering a glimpse into the opulent world of the French aristocracy and providing valuable insights into the cultural and artistic landscape of the time. In Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, the Limbourg brothers present a striking depiction of the Anatomical or Zodiac Man, a figure intricately intertwined with celestial and anatomical symbolism. The meticulously rendered Anatomical or Zodiac Man serves as a visual embodiment of the interconnectedness between the human body and the cosmos, with each limb and organ thoughtfully associated with corresponding zodiac signs and celestial influences. This portrayal not only showcases the Limbourg brothers' mastery of detail but also invites contemplation on the harmonious relationship between the microcosm of the human form and the macrocosm of the universe, elevating the manuscript to both an aesthetic and intellectual pinnacle of 15th century European artistry.
THURSDAY 14th December 2023, 11-12am
fRENCH ART
Imagine a long embroidered cloth of 9 Panels of Woven Linen Cloth... The Bayeux Tapestry, measuring 70 meters long and 50.8 cm high, presents 58 Scenes, 626 Characters, 37 buildings (including the Mont-Saint-Michel), 41 ships, 202 horses, and mules. It often exhibits effects of perspective, uses 10 Colours of Wool Thread, and 4 Stitching Points.
On the 4th of May, I was in Bayeux, and my first stop was at the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux… I was stunned, to say the least, and a dream came true!
Read More… https://www.teachercurator.com/art/the-bayeux-tapestry/
Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1070, Εmbroidered Wool on Linen, about 68.3 metres long and about 70cm wide , Bayeux Tapestry Museum, France
THURSDAY 30th nOVEMBER 2023, 11-12am
fRENCH ART
Eleanor of Aquitaine (c. 1124-1204) stands as one of the most influential women of the Romanesque period. Admired for both her intellect and physical beauty, she was an astute manager of her estates and finances, a renowned patron of the arts, and is considered the queen of troubadour poetry. Eleanor of Aquitaine, who served as the wife of two kings—Louis VII of France (r. 1137-1180) and Henry II of England (r. 1154-1189)—as well as the mother of two other notable kings, Richard the Lionheart (r. 1189-1199) and John Lackland (r. 1199-1216), emerged as a formidable political force. Holding the title of Duchess of Aquitaine, Eleanor wielded significant control over much of southwestern France, earning her a place among the wealthiest, most powerful, and most sophisticated women of the Middle Ages.
Read More… https://www.teachercurator.com/art/eleanor-of-aquitaine/
The effigies of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II of England, 1122-1204, Fontevraud Abbey, France https://www.medievalists.net/.../eleanor-queen-of-france.../
THURSDAY 16th nOVEMBER 2023, 11-12am
fRENCH ART
We started on Thursday, November 2, with an Introductory Unit on French Art - The Merovingian Period, invited by IWOG (International Women’s Organization of Greece). Our 2nd class meeting will be held today, Thursday, November 16, at 11am, at the American Farm School - Princeton Hall.
For information on our 1st Lesson and a PowerPoint, please Check here… https://www.teachercurator.com/ ή https://www.facebook.com/teachercurator/
On Thursday the 16th we will discuss the Romanesque Period…
THURSDAY 2ND nOVEMBER 2023, 11-12am
fRENCH ART
French Art with its intricate blend of tradition and innovation, has left a permanent mark on the art world, influencing movements, styles, and artists across centuries. The "2023-2024 IWOG Art Lessons" will provide an opportunity to delve into the aesthetic, cultural, and historical dimensions of French art, underscoring its pivotal role in fostering creativity and inspiring artists and art enthusiasts worldwide.
We will start on Thursday, November 2, and back in class, we will participate in an Adult Education Art History Unit on French Art, invited by IWOG (International Women’s Organization of Greece). "Art History classes" will take place in the American Farm School library - Princeton Hall. Classes will be held every second Thursday from 11-12 a.m.
Our first, class meeting will be held on Thursday, November 2 at 11am.
For a Lesson Plan, a PowerPoint, a Chronology Chart, and more, please click here: https://www.teachercurator.com/and/or https://www.facebook.com/teachercurator/ or here: https://www.facebook.com/teachercurator/
Tuesday 21st March 2023, 11-12am
The Art of Tutankhamun’s Tomb #2
The "journey" to Egyptian Art comes to its end on Tuesday, the 21st of March, at 11 am, at the American Farm School - Princeton Hall, Thessaloniki.
Thank you IWOG for the warm hospitality!!!
Our lesson will be dedicated to The Art of Tutankhamun’s Tomb… For a Lesson Plan, PowerPoint, Chronology Chart, please check here:
Tuesday 14th March, 11-12am
The Art of Tutankhamun’s Tomb #1
When Howard Carter, the archaeologist who discovered The Tomb of Tutankhamun first set eyes on the Pharaoh’s place of rest... he said, "I thought I was looking at wall paintings; it was a moment before I realized I was seeing actual three-dimensional objects. Carnarvon, my patron, couldn’t bear it any longer. “Can you see anything?” he demanded… Yes, wonderful things… was all I could say!"
The ‘journey’ to Egyptian Art continues with a new Unit dedicated to The Art of Tutankhamun’s Tomb…
For a Lesson Plan, PowerPoint, or Chronology Chart, please click here: The Art of Tutankhamun’s Tomb
Tuesday 7th March, 11-12am
THE ART OF THE AMARNA PERIOD
We continue our Lessons on Egyptian Art with a Unit on The Art of the Amarna Period… an artistic style that captivates human reaction, by charming the viewer with its unique pictorial beauty of deformation.
For a Lesson Plan, PowerPoint, Chronology Chart, and more, please check HERE
Tuesday 28th February, 11-12am
THE ART OF THE AMARNA PERIOD
Known especially for Akhenaton’s radical religious reforms, the Amarna Period leads to endless speculation about the Pharaoh’s background and motivation, the role played by Nefertiti and the Royal women, and the new artistic quest for naturalism and informality. From ca. 1353–1336 BC, Egypt stood still… went through changes, the country never experienced before… and then, radically, once more, moved back to its familiar norms!
For a Lesson Plan, PowerPoint, Chronology Chart, and more, please check HERE
Tuesday 21ST February, 11-12am
New Kingdom Rock Cut Tombs
Digital Egypt for Universities site experts (click here) discussing their Unit on Thebes, some tombs of the New Kingdom (about 1550-1069 BC) write… The typical (elite) Theban tomb type is the rock-cut tomb. Several hundred were cut into the rock on the west of the city. These tombs consist of two main parts. There is the underground burial chamber, most often undecorated and there is the decorated chapel accessible for the living. The chapel was the place for the cult of the dead. The quality of stone is not very good at Thebes, and therefore most of the tomb chapels were plastered and painted rather than decorated with reliefs. My new Lesson Plan on the same subject is titled… The New Kingdom Rock Cut Tombs and, may I add, their amazing interior decoration.
Two PowerPoints, one dedicated to the Tomb of Nebamun, and the other to six incredible New Kingdom Tombs of importance and beauty, will assist us in further understanding the ‘secrets’ of Egyptian art. To access the two PowerPoints, please… Click HERE! and HERE!
I use the 4-Steps to Success ‘grid’ to organize my presentation… and focus on what the Enduring Understanding of this presentation will be… New Kingdom Tomb Paintings/Reliefs tell the history of people & events, recording not only facts but the spirit and emotions of the time of ancient Egypt.
The New Kingdom was Egypt’s Golden Age, as years of stability within its boundaries, on one hand, diplomacy, trade, and war, on the other, brought immense prosperity and political power. Money poured into Egypt from its foreign lands, particularly Nubia, home to the richest gold mines in the ancient world. Much of this money was used by the pharaohs and their administrators to give thanks to the gods who had helped them in their success. The New Kingdom became one of the most creative periods in Egyptian history and the wall paintings or relief carvings in the Theban Rock Cut Tombs, are an example of their extraordinary artistic achievements. (click here)
During the New Kingdom period (ca. 1539 – 1075 BC) the Pharaohs established the new funerary trend of building Rock Cut Tombs in the area across Thebes, the capital of Egypt, on the Western bank, of the river Nile. Building their tombs in what became known as the Theban Valley of the Kings, the Pharaohs were followed, as the tradition was, by their queens, members of their families, and members of their administration. These Tombs were exquisitely decorated with fine paintings or carved reliefs of religious texts that would help the dead successfully navigate their way to the afterlife. Not only so… Tombs of New Kingdom administrators contained idealized images of everyday life that represented the life of the tomb’s occupant and his or her hopes for paradise in the afterlife. (click here)
For the New Kingdom Timeline, please… Check HERE!
Enjoy a National Geographic Documentary titled Egypt Eternal: The Quest for Lost Tombs (2002)
Another Video about Egyptian Art History from Goodbye-Art Academy
A Khan Academy Video on the Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis
For a Lesson Plan, PowerPoints, a Chronology Chart, and more… click HERE!
Tuesday 14th February, 11-12am
The "journey" to Egyptian Art continues…
on Tuesday, the 14th of February, and Yes, on St. Valentine's Day, with a Unit on the Ancient Egyptian Temple Architecture of the New Kingdom.
Known especially for monumental architecture, Cult and Mortuary Temples dedicated to Gods and Pharaohs, the New Kingdom, a period of nearly 500 years of political stability and economic prosperity, produced an abundance of architectural masterpieces we must explore… starting with an Essential Question… What did ancient Egyptian Temples Architecture represent?
For a Lesson Plan, PowerPoints, a Chronology Chart, and more… https://www.teachercurator.com/
Tuesday 31th January, 11-12am
The "journey" to Egyptian Art continues…
Known especially for monumental architecture, Cult and Mortuary Temples dedicated to Gods and Pharaohs, the New Kingdom, a period of nearly 500 years of political stability and economic prosperity, produced an abundance of architectural masterpieces we must explore… starting with an Essential Question… What did ancient Egyptian Temples Architecture represent?
**For a Lesson Plan, PowerPoints, a Chronology Chart, and more Follow us… **https://www.teachercurator.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/teachercurator/
We continue our Lesson on Tuesday, the 31st of January, with a Unit on the Ancient Egyptian Temple Architecture of the New Kingdom, invited by IWOG (International Women’s Organization of Greece). Our class meeting will be held at 11am, at the American Farm School - Princeton Hall, Thessaloniki.
Tuesday 24th January, 11-12am
We continue discussing the Middle Kingdom, a period stretching from about 2040 to 1650 BC, and the 2nd Intermediate Period. Our ‘Goal’ is to present aspects of cultural and social developments, changes in religious perspectives, and new artistic viewpoints.
For a Lesson Plan, a PowerPoint, a Chronology Chart, and more follow us:
Tuesday 20th December, 11-12am
Our 4th class meeting was held on Tuesday, December 20, at 11am, at the American Farm School - Princeton Hall, Thessaloniki.
We continue discussing how incredibly dynamic the period of the Old Kingdom was for the history of Egypt and the Arts. It astonishes us with the serene beauty exhibited in its statues, the displayed Pharaonic power and confidence, and the amazing dexterity of craftsmanship. Simply put… an amazing period we are about to explore!
Follow The Art of the Old Kingdom Period PowerPoint and examine more than forty-five Old Kingdom works of art… statues, jewelry, furniture, frescoes, and relief carvings. The presented Old Kingdom "highlights" range in date from about 2600 BC to 2400 BC.
For a Lesson Plan, a PowerPoint, a Chronology Chart, and more, Follow us… https://www.teachercurator.com and on Facebook.
Tuesday 6th December, 11-12am
It is time to discuss how incredibly dynamic the period of the Old Kingdom was for the history of Egypt and the Arts. It astonishes us with the serene beauty exhibited in its statues, the displayed Pharaonic power and confidence, and the amazing dexterity of craftsmanship. Simply put… an amazing period we are about to explore!
For a Lesson Plan, a PowerPoint, a Chronology Chart, and more click on the links below…
Blog: Teacher Curator OR Facebook
We started on Tuesday, November 8, with an Introductory Unit on Ancient Egyptian Art. Our next meeting on the 20th of December.
Left: Statue of Ka Aper from Saqqara, c.2450-2350 BC, 5th Dynasty, Wood, Eyes: Rock crystal, calcite, copper, black stone, Height: 112 cm, The Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt
https://www.reddit.com/.../the_4500_years_old_wooden.../
Tuesday 22nd November, 11-12am
On Tuesday November the 8th, we started Ξεκινήσαμε την Τρίτη 8 Νοεμβρίου μ’ ένα μάθημα-εισαγωγή στην Αρχαία Αιγυπτιακή Τέχνη, προσκεκλημένοι της IWOG (Διεθνής Οργάνωση Γυναικών Ελλάδος). Το δεύτερό μας μάθημα θα πραγματοποιηθεί στη βιβλιοθήκη της American Farm School - Princeton Hall, την Τρίτη 22 Νοεμβρίου, 11-12 π.μ.
Για το σχέδιο μαθήματος, το PowerPoint και κι άλλες χρήσιμες πληροφορίες… Click here.
Θέμα το 2ου μαθήματος είναι τα επιτεύγματα του Αρχαίου Βασιλείου, η πολιτική σταθερότητα της περιόδου, το πνεύμα αισιοδοξίας που επικρατούσε, και η διοικητική οργάνωση. Πρώτο βήμα, και σκοπός του μαθήματος είναι να συζητήσουμε την αρχιτεκτονική των Πυραμίδων…
The Pyramid Complex at Giza consists of the three 4th Dynasty pyramids: Khufu (c. 2560 BC), Khafre (2558-2532 BC), and Menkaure (c. 2530-2510 BC), the Sphinx, attendant temples and outbuildings, and the private mastabas of the nobility.
