The Art of Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer

1471 - 1528

Self-Portrait in Fur Coat

1500

Oil on panel, 67 x 49 cm  

Alte Pinakothek, Munich 

Self Portrait at 26

1498

Oil on panel, 52 x 41 cm 

Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid 

Christ Among the Doctors

1506

Oil on panel, 65 x 80 cm

Fundacion Coleccion Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid 

St Peter And St John Healing The Cripple 

1513

Engraving, 118 x 74 mm

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Hands of the Apostle

1508, Sketch

A Young Hare

1502

Watercolor and gouache on paper, 25 x 23 cm 

Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna 

The Last Supper 

1523; Wood Block: 21 x 30 cm

Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

Writing Assignment #1 for Tuesday: Choose one of these pictures (other than the two self portraits) and write a descriptive paragraph.  Include a topic sentence, at least three sentences containing supporting details, and a conclusion sentence.  The topic sentence may contain the information supplied above each painting, such as when it was created, what kind of art it is, or what museum now owns it.  The three supporting detail sentences need to be your own observations about what is in the painting.  The conclusion should include your opinion about the piece.

Writing Assignment #2 for Wednesday: Write a paragraph that compares the two self portraits.  The topic sentence will identify both paintings and make a statement of your opinion or observation about them.  The three supporting detail sentences will explain your topic sentence with specific examples.  The conclusion will restate your opinion in different words.

Advent Assignment #5: Luke 7 and Jesus, Friend of Sinners

This post is the 7th-8th grade English assignment for Tuesday, December 12.

1. Read Luke 7. Which verses are related to the painting below? How does this story relate to why Jesus had to come to earth in the first place?

"The Magdalen" by Bernardino Luini in 1525 (National Gallery of Art)

2. Read this poem, which is based on the Bible story in Luke 7:36-50. According to this poem, how is the symbolism of the broken alabaster jar related to how we should live for Jesus?

"Alabaster Jar"

by Virginia Knowles

Alabaster jar, costly sweet perfume

Devotion broke it open, fragrance filled the room.

Poured over Jesus’ head, anointing for the grave,

Some saw only money lost, but Jesus blessed the love she gave.

Broken and poured out, broken and poured out

But there’s no waste of life, just fragrant sacrifice

And it’s all because of love.

Can you see his love? Messiah on the cross

Body broken, blood poured out, for our sin’s redemption cost

Can you see his power? Victory over death!

Hell could not contain him, nor quench his living breath

Broken and poured out, broken and poured out

But there’s no waste of life, just fragrant sacrifice

And it’s all because of love.

Lord, break me for your glory, pour me for your name.

Let me share his sufferings and power just the same.

Crucified with Christ is what I want to be,

For when I’ve died to my old life, I’ll rise up to be free.

Broken and poured out, broken and poured out

But there’s no waste of life, just fragrant sacrifice

And it’s all because of love.

3. Read Luke 5:27-32 and Luke 18:9-14. Write a paragraph explaing how Jesus wants us to view ourselves, and how he wants us treat those who have lived sinful lifestyles.

4. With your parent's permission, visit the Magdalena, Released from Shame web site and click on "Discover Their Story" to scroll over each of the four women and see short videos about them. This movie is produced by The Jesus Film Project, a division of Campus Crusade.

Advent Assignment #6: Luke 8 and Baby Jesus at the National Gallery of Art

This post contains the 7th-8th grade English assignment for Wednesday, December 14.

Instructions:

1. Read Luke 8 and write down the section heading for verses 46-49.


2. Look at each of the nine pictures very carefully. You can click on them to enlarge them. The dates listed are approximately when the art was created. The paintings are from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., which I visited in November. All of the ones in this post are related to the birth of Christ. I had to take the pictures from a slight angle because otherwise I was getting a glare from the flash.


3. These paintings and sculptures were created during the Renaissance. Some of them are gilded. Many of the the titles contain the words madonna and adoration. Click on each of these four bolded words and write down definitions.


4. Which three pieces are not flat paintings?


5. Which pieces were created in the 14th century? (Think carefully about this.)


6. Three of the paintings have an instruction marked with **. Choose one to do.


7. Read the poem "The Story Did Not Start with a Stable and a Star" which is below the pictures.

"The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Giorgione, 1505-1510

"Adoration of the Shepherds" after Annibale Fontana, 1600s, Terracotta

The words "after Annibale Fontana" means that he didn't create it himself, but it was based on one of his pieces.

In Italian, "terra" means "earth" and "cotta" means "cooked" or "baked." The American Heritage dictionary says that "terracotta" is "A hard semifired waterproof ceramic clay used in pottery and building construction." Firing is hardening or baking in an oven. There is one other terracotta piece in this blog post.

"The Adoration of the Magi" by Benvenuto di Giovanni in 1470-1475

"Madonna and Child" by the Florentine School 1425

Click here to see another Madonna and Child sculpture at the NGA.

** Copy down the Latin inscription at its base.

"Madonna and Child" by Circle of Giovanni di Turino 1430, painted and gilded terracotta

"Madonna Enthroned with Saints and Angels" by Agnolo Gaddi 1380-1390

** How is this painting and its frame similar to the Giotto one below? How is it different? (Think about the subject, style, media and shapes.)

"Madonna and Child" by Giotto 1320-1330

"The Alba Madonna" by Raphael in 1510 (St. John the Baptist is the other child in this painting.)

Read about this painting at: Alba Madonna.

** Write a sentence about the significance of what the baby Jesus is holding in his hand.

"The Flight into Egypt" by Vittore Carpaccio, 1515

~*~*~

"The Story Did Not Start with a Stable and a Star"

by Virginia Knowles

The story did not start with a stable and a star
But in the beginning, before billygoats on boulders or bluebirds in birch trees
The Trinity, the Three-In-One: Father, Spirit, Son
Viewed a vast void with a venturesome vision
And lo, this Lavish LORD said, “Let there be…”
And there was Light and Life and Love
Tigers and tiger lilies and tiger sharks
Amoebas and ants, aardvarks and apple trees,
Honeysuckle and honeybees and heavenly hallelujahs
For it was good: this grand garden, green and growing, glorious and glowing
With two to tend Eden: Adam and Eve
Masterpieces made to multiply more masterpieces in the image of their Maker
Working and walking with Him, worshiping Him for the wonder of His wisdom
But then came a choice and a cheater and a chilling challenge
They rebelled and rejected and ruined their Royal Relationship
In punishment, pushed out from Paradise into pain and peril, perishing
Generation after generation
Mankind multiplied moral messes
The Spirit sometimes seized sinners into the Sovereign Sacred Story
Prodding prophets, priests, and preachers to proclaim:
“Repent! Return! Revere! Renew!”
And so the Father sent his Son
And seers sought this Savior from afar
But the story did not stop with a stable and a star

The little Lord Jesus, who lay there so lowly, lived his life
This Great God-With-Us grew in grace
He, the Holy One, who helped and healed
Preached and prayed and praised His Father
This Lord of Love looked high and low to liberate the lost
This consecrated Christ carried His cross
He was crucified in His courage by our cowardice
Thus our Prophet-Priest paid the penalty price for our Paradise
His ransom rescues rebels from ruin
Freeing those who by faith will fully follow
Generation after generation
Multiplying more miracles among mortals
For the Spirit of the Sovereign Sacred Story
Still seizes sinners and sanctifies saints
And our Royal Redeemer shall return:
Holy is He! Hark the heavenly hallelujahs!
For it is good and God is glorious!
Earth shall end and eternity shall start
And the story of the Savior shall always speak to the heart.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” Genesis 1:1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it… He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-5, 10-14

Advent Assignment #7: Luke 9 and Hymns

This post is the 7th-8th grade English assignment for Thursday, December 15.

1. Read Luke 9. Copy verses 23-25.
   
2. What does the word "advent" mean? What is the Latin root?
   
3. Click to see the lyrics to Joy to the World. Then go to the bottom of the page and listen to all five days of radio devotionals for this song. Next, read the Devotional and Hymn Story and be sure to click on the "See More" links when they are given. Who wrote the words to this carol? Who wrote the music?
   
4. Click to see the lyrics to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Click on the links to listen to it. Read all of the notes, pressing the "See More" links when they are given. What are the two Scripture references listed? Write down the meaning of the name "Emmanuel." Then watch a GodTube montage video of a modern version of it at: O Come, O Come Emmanuel. (It starts really slow, but picks up after about a minute.)
   
5. Which of these two songs was written in a minor key? Which was written in a major key? What is the difference in the mood of the tune? How is repetition used in each of the songs?
   
6. What is your favorite Christmas carol? Why? (Write at least four sentences.)

Advent Assignment #8: Luke 10 and the Jesus Film

This post is the 7th-8th grade English assignment for Friday, December 16.


Instructions:

1. Read Luke 10.


2. Watch at least an hour of the Jesus Film. (Scroll down the page until you see "English" and then click on WATCH.) See how many of the scenes you remember from the first 10 chapters of Luke. If you have a DVD or video of the movie, watch it on your TV instead! Have your parent write a note verifying that you watched it.


3. The Jesus Film has been translated into over a thousand languages and is shown all over the world as an evangelistic outreach. It is often played for large crowds outdoors, as shown below with the Maasai in Africa. Read the page Making Film Translations and list the five steps. (Make sure you click on them to read about them.)

4. Imagine that you are part of the team that is producing and presenting The Jesus Film for people around the world. Think about how God has uniquely gifted you, and tell which two of these jobs you feel you would be interested in doing: writing the script, translating it into other languages, acting, directing, makeup & costuming, set design, sound effects, producing the soundtrack, going out to the villages and showing the film, or another related job that you can think of.

The Psalms

This week, our literature selections are from the Psalms.  This post contains extra information and web links needed for your homework assignments.  The sections in it are:

• Tuesday: Psalm 119 and the Hebrew Alphabet
• Thursday: Isaac Watts, Psalm 90 and "O God, Our Help in Ages Past"

Tuesday: Psalm 119 and the Hebrew Alphabet

With a whopping 176 verses, this is by far the longest Psalm.  Another unusual feature of this Psalm is that it is an acrostic poem.  There are 22 sections of 8 verses each, one section for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  Each of the verses in the section starts with that letter.  The NIV Study Bible notes: “The author had a theme that filled his soul, a theme as big as life, that ranged the length and breadth and height and depth of a person’s walk with God.  Nothing less than the use of the full power of language would suffice, and of that the alphabet was a most apt symbol."

The main theme of Psalm 119 is devotion to God’s word.  Eight Hebrew synonyms for "God's word" are used throughout the Psalm, which each section including at least six of them. 

• torah: law
• ‘edot: statutes
• piqqudim: precepts
• miswot: commands or commandments
• mishpatim: laws or ordinances
• huqqim: decrees
• dabar: word, promise, or law
• ‘imrah: word or promise

As we discussed in class, Psalm 119 is written as an acrostic, with each section of verses starting with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet.  You can see the Hebrew alphabet at this link: www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Aleph-Bet/aleph-bet.html

Please note that the Hebrew language is read from right to left, so Aleph is the first letter on the top row of the chart.   The characters for Hebrew letters also stood for numbers, as you can see at the top of each one.  Hebrew is traditionally written without vowels, but there are small markings that can be added to these consonants to show the vowel sounds said with them.  You can click the "Recite" button at the bottom left of the chart to hear the sounds.  You can also click on the letters to read more about them.

Practice copying at least the first four letters of the Hebrew alphabet and label each one with the name: Aleph, Beth, etc.

Choose your favorite verse from the ones below and copy it.

PSALM 119: ONE SELECTED VERSE FOR EACH HEBREW LETTER

Aleph:  ¹ Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 

Bet: ⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 

Gimel:  ¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. 

Daleth:  ²⁷ Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. 

He:  ³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;  preserve my life according to your word.

 

Waw:  ⁴⁸ I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.

Zayin: ⁵⁴ Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. 

Heth:  ⁶¹ Though the wicked bind me with ropes,  I will not forget your law. 

Teth:  ⁷¹ It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. 

Yodh:  ⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. 

Kaph:  ⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause. 

Lamedh:  ⁹³ I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. 

Mem:  ¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 

Nun: ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 

Samekh: ¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. 

Ayin:  ¹²⁶ It is time for you to act, O LORD; your law is being broken. 

Pe: ¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;  it gives understanding to the simple. 

Tsadhe:  ¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 

Qoph: ¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. 

Resh:  ¹⁶⁰ All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Sin and Shin: ¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 

Taw:  ¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. 

Thursday: Isaac Watts, Psalm 90 and "O God, Our Help in Ages Past"

Isaac Watts wrote his hymn "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" based on Psalm 90.

Read Psalm 90 here: Psalm 90 in KJV at BibleGateway

Copy down Psalm 90:2 as you see it written there. 

Read the words of the hymn here: Lyrics of "O God, Our Help in Ages Past."  Copy the third stanza, which starts with the words "Before the hills..."  Note the similarity with Psalm 90:2.

Listen to the hymn sung here: O God, Our Help in Ages Past MP3 at www.SongsAndHymns.org

Listen to a modern version sung here: "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" song sample from Sovereign Grace Music.

I read this to you in class, but please read it again:

Isaac Watts was the oldest of nine children.  His father was in prison when Isaac was born because he was a Dissenter, a nonconformist Christian who refused to agree with the official teachings of the Church of England.  Isaac was a very bright child and had a habit of speaking in rhyme. When his father scolded him for this, he replied, “Oh, Father, do some pity take, and I will no more verses make.”  Isaac learned many languages: Latin at the age of five, Greek at nine, French at eleven and Hebrew at thirteen!  A wealthy man offered to send Isaac to one of the top universities, but he would have had to join the Church of England.  His conscious would not allow him to do this, so he went to a nonconformist evangelical Christian school instead.  Isaac only grew to be 5 feet tall and had a really big head, but no matter what he looked like, people loved him! He also had small pox when he was 15 years old, so he was often weak and sick. He didn’t think he could keep his job as a pastor, but the people in his church loved him and his preaching so much that they wouldn’t let him quit.  They just hired an extra pastor to help him so he could stay.

Once when he was still a young man living at home, Isaac complained to his father that the hymns in church were boring.  His father replied, “Then do something about it!”  That afternoon, he sat down and wrote a hymn which was sung at a church service that same evening.  He wrote a new hymn every week for two years.  All in all, he wrote over 600 different hymns.  We still sing many of them today, such as, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed?” and “Joy to the World.”  Isaac Watts’s psalms and hymns came to America and God used them mightily during the Great Awakening, a period of revival in the 1740s.  Americans also loved to sing them during the Revolutionary War.  One time, some Patriot soldiers ran out of the paper they needed for loading powder into their guns.  A pastor, Reverend James Caldwell, ran into his church and started tearing the pages out of the hymnals for them to use for firing their guns.  He shouted, “Give ‘em Watts, boys!”  We can give our enemy (the devil) “Watts” by singing praises to God!  He can’t stand that!  As Psalm 8:2 says, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”