School Tours: Renaissance Art
Grades 6–12
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What radical changes in art (and life) marked the period known as the Renaissance? Original works of art provide students with firsthand answers to this question. Students will explore such artistic developments as perspective and the evolving naturalistic representation of human figure, and how these stylistic developments were influenced by scientific discovery and the rise of humanism.
Looking and Learning Skills
During four or five tour stops, students engage in activities—such as looking exercises, small group work, and sketching—that foster conversations around works of art. The following skills are promoted:
- Making and articulating careful observations
- Formulating questions that demonstrate curiosity and engagement
- Comparing and contrasting different visual representations of Renaissance ideas
- Reasoning with evidence from the works themselves—using the works of art as primary sources on Renaissance art and society
- Connecting new ideas learned from the tour to prior knowledge of Renaissance art and culture
Group Size: Up to 60 students
Length: 75 minutes
Meeting Location: West Building, Rotunda, Main Floor
Museum policies
Student lunches
General information
- Inquiring Eye: European Renaissance Art (teaching packet)
- Inside Scoop on Leonardo (NGAKids printable resource)
- Inside Scoop on Castagno (NGAKids printable resource)
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