Introduction: This project is designed for secondary students who have had no previous experience with analyzing art, architecture, or sculpture, but have some background on the Renaissance. This activity will serve well as a culminating activity to a Renaissance unit. The artists and works represented here are easily researched and rather obviously fit the characteristics/trademarks of the artists. While copies of the works are available in art history books and on the internet, postcard size reproductions available through Fawcett Columbine Publications are cheap, easily laminated, and provide the student with his/her own copy while studying. They publish a postcard book entitled Renaissance Artists that is very useful. The artists' characteristics were developed by freshman students. They are a combination of their research as well as their own impressions and interpretations. While they may not be completely scholarly, they are understandable and useful to the novice. The list can serve as your resource for asking probing questions or guiding discussion. It should not be given out to the students.

Overview: This project lasts about two weeks-one week for students to research and prepare presentations and one week for their presentations. Organizing the presentations by painter, one painter a day, is most efficient. By the time students give biographical information and then present their paintings, there is more than enough material for one class session on each great master. It is important that after each presentation the audience is left with a set of notes on the characteristics/trademarks of the artist. To measure their understanding, pick Renaissance paintings that the students haven't seen or studied and have them guess the painter. This can be done individually or as a group. However, done as a group, this leads to lively and high level discussions.

Contents:
Assignment Sheet (document 2) -Student Handout
Evaluation Sheet (document 3)-Teacher Resource
Suggested Works (document 4)-Teacher Resource
Artist Trademarks/Characteristics (document 5)-Teacher Resource
Post Unit Check Quiz (document 6)-Teacher Resource