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Personal Triptych Altarpieces:
Inspired by European Art from the Medieval Period to the Renaissance

7th Grade

Teacher Partner: Ms. Bochanski, teacher
Teaching Artist: Carol Royer

In conjunction with their social studies the students learned about life in and the history of Medieval and Renaissance-era Europe through art forms of the time.

The essential questions for this residency were:

• What was Europe like during the Medieval and Renaissance periods?
• Whats do these terms mean?
• What materials for art making were available to artists during this time?
• What does their artwork tell us about life during those times?


The students made a visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see, discuss and draw from the collections of armor, medieval and Renaissance paintings, and the Medieval monastery courtyard. The students made and painted small ceramic vessels and created paper castles.



The culminating project for each student was the creation of a family history altarpiece using processes, techniques and resources developed during the residency.