The Renaissance--Michelangelo

 We've begun a month long study of the Renaissance period.  We learned that renaissance means re-birth.  A reawakening of the cultures from past Greek and Roman time periods.  Once the people of the time had fully protected themselves from the Ottoman Turks  and their society became more affluent, they as a people were able to focus more energy on the arts and humanities of life.  Piety was less and the joys of life were encouraged.  

This week we focused on some of the great artists--mainly Michelangelo.  We learned that the art of the middle ages was flat and showed little expression.  This changed during this time period.  

Michelangelo was a celebrated and famous sculpture.  His most famous sculptures are of David in Florence, Italy, his home town and the one of Mary holding her son, the Savior, after his cruxifiction.  He was also a celebrated artist.  His most famous paintings grace the Sistine Chapel ceiling.       

 There are differing accounts as to whether he painted the ceiling laying down or standing/kneeling or sitting up.  I think that it was probably all of the above.  It took him four years to complete. His neck and back muscles were permanently changed and he is quoted as saying that his eyes also suffered damage from this arduous task.  Yet the results are beautiful.  Inspiring.  He certainly was gifted and shared it with the world.

 It is said that while he was painting he would become quite covered in paint himself.

 The kids had fun painting Michelangelo style...laying down or sitting/ squatting under a table, which acted as their ceiling.

 Here is Cailin, Clarissa, Beryl and Jared's masterpiece.

 All of our happy painters!!

 After that hard painting work...and math studies (a renaissance man was known to be well rounded in all subjects, so we can't let the math go today!)  we supped on cheese and egg pies, (common during that time period), salad and chicken salad sandwiches (on homemade bread).  

Our memory work sentence for this time period....During the Renaissance period, from 1350-1600, DaVinci was a famous inventor, Shakespeare was a famous playwright, Copernicus was a famous scientist, soon after Rembrandt a famous artist was born.