Presents Roman Mosaics

Bancroft Elementary School Art Appreciation Program

Presents

Roman Mosaics 300 B.C.-500 A.D.

Lesson Summary:

 This lesson introduces the history of Mosaics and the use of them in Roman homes and public spaces.

Lesson Information

Artist: Unknown Roman Craftsmen Art Title: Mosaics Period or Style: Roman Art Element: Value Project/Medium: Mosaic designs with cut paper tessarae

Prep-work Required

Discussion: Familiarize yourself with current lesson details Prep Work Check Supplies, cut extra paper squares if needed

Presentation Materials

Examples Project examples In folder Prints Mosaic close-ups In folder Lesson Plan: Roman Mosaics In folder Electronic Images Greek Mosaic, Map of On drive in Cabinet Roman Empire, Roman floor mosaics, St Sophia (Byzantine Mosaic), Beware of Dog! Close up of Mosaic showing Value.

Activity Materials

1 clay colored paper with grid 1 per student A variety of colored paper squares, scissors, glue Small amounts of each for sticks and pencils each table-1 glue stick for each student

Objectives  To introduce students to the art of Mosaics.  To create a mosaic inspired by Roman Mosaics with thought to value.

Presentation Timing  With Upper Grade students, your discussion time may be a bit longer than with the lower grades. Spend 15 minutes on the discussion portion and 45 minutes on the art activity. Share with students important facts from the lesson plan.

Roman Mosaics

 The history of mosaics goes back thousands of years. The Greeks were the first to make it into an art form-creating detailed scenes of people and animals (show slide)  When the Romans succeeded the Greeks and their empire spread far and wide, they took this art form with them. (Show Roman empire map)  The Romans were known to use mosaics mostly as floor decorations. (Show slides)  These decorations often captured scenes of history and everyday life. Some were bought ‘off the shelf’ as a standard design while other wealthy villa owners had custom designs made.  The design themes varied from mythological scenes to real life events such as weather, crops, fishing, hunting and the seasons.  The material used for floor mosaics were typically colored stones. Later in the Eastern Roman empire, the Byzantines used colored glass and specialized in ceiling and wall mosaics. (Show Byzantine mosaic).  There are more intact examples of floor mosaics than any other construction since the walls and roofs collapse but the floors remained waiting to be discovered.  These mosaics have great historical significance not only for their beauty but also for the light that they shed on everyday Roman life. They offer great clues to the history of the Roman Empire.

© 2009 Bancroft Art Appreciation Committee 3  In the mosaics that have been uncovered we have learned about how ancient plays were staged, plant and animal life, knowledge about Greek painting from the copies in the Roman mosaics and even specifics of Roman life such as the fact they had watchdogs. This mosaic found depicts a dog and says “Cave Canem” or Beware of the Dog! (Show slide)

Value  In art Value is the graduation of light and dark that you use. The differences between light and dark that you use not only show your viewer what the light is doing, but also help to define the shape of the objects in your picture, regardless of their colors.  Using varied light to dark shades of the same color on an object can make something flat on paper appear round or full. This technique was often used with mosaics.

 Hand out cut out Clay colored paper with grid to each student and have him or her put his or her name on the back.  Show the students the sample projects and discuss simple design ideas: fish, geometric, sun, star, shell, bobcat paw print, etc. Make sure they keep it simple so that they can finish in the class time available.  Have them first make simple sketch/outline on their paper with a pencil within the grid; they will leave the outside unfinished as a border.  Have them use the grid simple as a guideline. They do not have to make the paper square fit in each grid square. The paper cut is in different sizes so they can be loose with their arrangement.  Next, have them glue the colored paper squares on their design.  They may need to cut some squares on the diagonal to fit in their design.  Remind them to use different shades (VALUE) of each color to create a less flat looking design.  When the students are finished collect and dry on the drying rack.  Return the next day and collect and keep safe until the end of the year for their portfolios.