Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Students will be able to identify the key characteristics of Baroque art in Italy and Spain, including dramatic compositions, intense emotions, and ornate details.

2. Students will understand the influence of the Catholic Church on Baroque art, especially in the context of grandiose architecture and religious themes.

3. Students will develop their analytical skills by comparing and contrasting various works of Baroque art from Italy and Spain.

Secondary Objectives:

• Encourage students to think critically about the societal and religious influences on art during the Baroque period.

• Foster an appreciation for the historical context in which Baroque art was created and its significance in today's world.

• Develop students' ability to express their thoughts and arguments clearly and logically in class discussion and written work.

Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Review of Previous Knowledge:

   • The teacher begins by reminding the students of their previous lessons on Renaissance art, emphasizing the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque period.
   • They then discuss the historical context of the Baroque period, highlighting the influence of the Catholic Church and the Counter-Reformation.

2. Problem Situations:

   • The teacher presents two problem situations to the students. The first is a picture of a Renaissance painting and a Baroque painting side by side, without any identifying information. The students are asked to identify which one is Baroque and why they believe so.
   • The second problem situation is a brief story about an artist trying to convey intense emotions through their work. The students are asked to think about how the artist could use the characteristics of Baroque art to achieve this.

3. Real-world Applications:

   • The teacher highlights the influence of Baroque art on modern architecture, particularly the grandiose and ornate details found in many churches and historical buildings around the world.
   • They also discuss how the dramatic compositions and intense emotions found in Baroque art have influenced modern visual storytelling in movies and television.

4. Introduction of the Topic:

   • The teacher introduces the topic of Baroque art in Italy and Spain, drawing students' attention to the dramatic shift in style and themes compared to the Renaissance period.
   • They share two intriguing stories about famous Baroque artists, such as Caravaggio's volatile personality and dramatic chiaroscuro technique, or Bernini's intense rivalry with Borromini which led to some of the most impressive works of Baroque architecture.
   • The teacher also shows the students a few examples of Baroque art, asking them to point out any features that stand out to them, preparing them for the detailed study of these characteristics in the following lesson.

Development

Pre-Class Activities (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Reading Texts:

   • Students are instructed to read a provided text about the Baroque period in Italy and Spain. This text introduces the students to key artists, significant works, and the main characteristics of Baroque art. It also touches upon the impact of the Catholic church and Counter-Reformation on Baroque art.

2. Video Analysis:

   • The teacher provides a link to a video on Baroque art, which visually focuses on the key characteristics: dramatic compositions, intense emotions, and ornate details.
   • Students are asked to pay particular attention to the segment about the influence of the Catholic Church on this style of art.
   • After viewing the video, students should write a concise paragraph on what they found most interesting and why.

In-Class Activities (20 - 30 minutes)

1. Art Detective:

   • The teacher creates four stations around the classroom, each with a reproduction of a Baroque painting from Italy or Spain and several art detective cards.

   • The art detective cards contain prompts for things to look for in the painting, such as ornate details, dramatic compositions, or evidence of intense emotions.

   • Students are divided into teams of five and rotate between the stations. The goal is to use the detective cards to identify the key characteristics of Baroque art in each painting.

     • Step-by-step guide
       1. Students form groups of no more than five people.
       2. Each group is assigned to a station. There, they have a set time (around 5 minutes) to study the painting using the clues on the detective cards.
       3. After the allotted time, a bell rings, signalling for the groups to rotate to the next station.
       4. The process is repeated until all groups have visited all stations.

2. "Grand Design" Challenge:

   • This challenge encourages students to understand the grandiosity of Baroque architecture. Specifically, students will design their own 'Baroque Church' using craft paper, markers, glue, and other provided arts and craft materials.

   • The teacher reinforces the idea that the churches of this period were often richly decorated and grandly scaled to reflect the power of the Catholic Church.

     • Step-by-step guide
       1. The teacher divides the class into groups of five students.
       2. Each group is given a set of craft materials and the task: build a model of a Baroque church.
       3. The teacher reminds students to consider the key characteristics of Baroque architecture as they sketch their designs – the intense emotions, grand scale, and ornate details.
       4. After the sketching stage, students start to create their models.
       5. At the end of the session, each group presents their model to the class, explaining how they incorporated the Baroque elements.

By the end of these In-Class Activities, students should have hands-on practical understanding of the fundamental characteristics of Baroque art and architecture, enabling them to better discuss and analyze these in-depth in their subsequent classwork and assessments.

Feedback (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Group Discussion:

   • Following the activities, the teacher facilitates a group discussion where each group shares their findings from the Art Detective activity and their Grand Design challenge. Each group is given a maximum of 3 minutes to present their conclusions.
   • During the presentations, the teacher pays attention to the students' understanding of the key characteristics of Baroque art and architecture, and how well they were able to apply these characteristics in their own designs.

2. Connection to Theory:

   • After all groups have presented, the teacher summarizes the key points raised during the presentations. They highlight how the activities connect to the theory, reinforcing the characteristics of Baroque art and architecture and their manifestation in different works.
   • The teacher makes sure to point out how the dramatic compositions, intense emotions, and ornate details they observed are typical features of Baroque art, and how the grandiosity of their designs reflects the influence of the Catholic Church during the Baroque period.
   • They also remind students about the societal and religious influences on Baroque art, and how these influences continue to shape art and architecture today.

3. Reflection:

   • The teacher asks students to reflect on the most important concepts they learned during the lesson. They may give students a few minutes to think about this, or ask for immediate responses.
   • The teacher then encourages students to share their thoughts, promoting an open discussion about the different aspects of the lesson.
   • To guide the reflection, the teacher proposes a couple of questions:
     1. What was the most important concept learned today?
     2. What questions remain unanswered?
   • The teacher takes note of the students' responses, especially any unanswered questions, to address in future lessons or to adjust the teaching approach as necessary.

By the end of the Feedback stage, students should have solidified their understanding of the Baroque art and architecture in Italy and Spain, and the teacher should have gathered valuable insights into the students' learning process, comprehension of the topic, and areas that may need further clarification or exploration.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summarizing the Lesson:

   • The teacher begins by summarizing the main contents of the lesson, reminding the students about the characteristics of Baroque art in Italy and Spain: dramatic compositions, intense emotions, ornate details, and the influence of the Catholic Church.
   • They review the significant artists and works discussed, emphasizing how these exemplify the Baroque style.
   • The teacher also recaps the historical context of the Baroque period, highlighting the Counter-Reformation and its impact on the art of the period.

2. Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications:

   • The teacher explains how the lesson connected theory with practical exercises. They mention how the reading and video analysis helped the students to understand the theoretical aspects of Baroque art.
   • They also discuss how the Art Detective activity and the Grand Design challenge allowed the students to apply their knowledge practically.
   • The teacher emphasizes how these activities demonstrated the application of Baroque art and architecture, showing its influence on modern visual storytelling and architecture.

3. Additional Materials:

   • To further enhance the students' understanding of the topic, the teacher recommends a few additional resources. These could include documentaries about Baroque artists, virtual tours of Baroque churches, or scholarly articles on the influence of the Catholic Church on Baroque art.
   • They also suggest books about the history of art, specifically focusing on the Baroque period, and encourage students to explore these resources at their own pace.

4. The Importance of the Topic:

   • Finally, the teacher discusses the importance of understanding Baroque art in today's world. They explain that appreciating the historical context and influences of any art form can help us to better understand and appreciate it.
   • They also highlight that learning about the Baroque period can help us to recognize its influence in modern architecture and visual storytelling.
   • The teacher encourages the students to look for the characteristics of Baroque art in their daily lives, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art and architecture around them.

By the end of this Conclusion, the students should have a clear understanding of Baroque art in Italy and Spain, its characteristics, influences, and significance. They should also be aware of additional resources to deepen their knowledge and have an understanding of how this historical art period remains relevant in today's world.