The Beauty of the Renaissance

Hels has been studying the Renaissance and Reformation this month.


They have sung Renaissance pieces in Italian and played them on their recorders. They have spent quite a bit of time learning to draw hands and feet. Their artwork culminated in a thorough exploration of the Mona Lisa and a drawing of her hands.


She has done massive amounts of writing--about the Medici's, Raphael, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, the Printing Press, Calvin, and other topics. Hels struggles with drawing and her handwriting, so there were some parts of the block that were a challenge. She's not happy about this picture, but I like it.

She has read a number of books about the Renaissance and early Elizabethan England.

E.L. Konigsburg's The Second Mrs. Gioconda did not captivate her.
Christopher Grey's Leonardo's Shadow did launch her back into Italy.

Mark Twain's Joan of Arc has been a slow read we've done together, but has been wonderful.

She loved a number of books about Elizabethan England:

Ann Rinaldi's A Red-Headed Princess
Carolyn Meyer's Mary, Bloody Mary
Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl

I've read a couple of books as well--it was fun to read these and be back in the past with Hels.

Alison Weir, The Lady Elizabeth
Jeanne Kalogridis, I Mona Lisa

She has moved on to Creative Writing now. I'm looking forward to some more creativity and beauty over this next month!

Lisa Anne  – (March 5, 2009 at 7:12 AM)  

Very beautiful! Hels' drawings are quite lovely. The study of the hands is incredible, they are so hard to draw. I think she really captured the mood of "the Virgin" quite well (the down-turned eyes).

We will do this block when Amelia gets home from Ann Arbor. I am feeling we are so far behind and soon the year will be over...
Thanks for more book suggestions.

Joy  – (March 5, 2009 at 10:04 AM)  

Fascinating to see her drawings and the book list. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous –   – (March 5, 2009 at 10:07 AM)  

That drawing is beautiful, she's talented. I wanted to also let you know that I've passed on The Tree Of Happiness Award to you. Thank you for your lovely blog.

dawn klinge  – (March 5, 2009 at 10:56 AM)  

I think Hels did a beautiful job on her drawings. You've got me looking forward to studying the Renaissance with Grace now, when she's that age.

Mrs. Darling  – (March 5, 2009 at 12:20 PM)  

Well she does far better at drawing than I could ever dream! I've never studied the Renaissance! Sshhh dont tell anyone!

Tammy  – (March 5, 2009 at 2:07 PM)  

Gorgeous drawings Hels!!!!!

Crescent Moon  – (March 5, 2009 at 2:34 PM)  

I think her drawing and lettering is amazing! Beautiful job!
That's an impressive list of books, as well.

Anonymous –   – (March 5, 2009 at 4:19 PM)  

The things with which we struggle are so valuable, but that's hard to remember while we're struggling! I think Hels's drawings and lettering are lovely.

Anonymous –   – (March 5, 2009 at 11:12 PM)  

I'm enjoying following your blog. It's interesting to see what they're doing at the Waldorf school.

Angela  – (March 5, 2009 at 11:30 PM)  

wow - what an artist you've got!

Linda  – (March 6, 2009 at 7:30 AM)  

What beautiful drawings, I love the one of the hands, WOW!

ellen  – (March 6, 2009 at 11:57 AM)  

Oh, my...these are beautiful! What an enriching study and experience.

Melissa Ellen, Honeybee Toys  – (March 6, 2009 at 6:07 PM)  

This work is so beautiful - this is real learning isn't it - so rich. My daughter has just started Class 5 at Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School and they are studying ancient India. Each morning when we walk into the classroom we are met by a huge stone buddha surrounded by flowers and incense wafting towards us....she is so happy.

Anonymous –   – (May 2, 2009 at 7:17 PM)  

thank you so much for the things you all said about my drawings!
Hels

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