III Make up a plan of the text.

IV Translate the paragraph in italics in a written form.

V Questions for discussion:

1. What is the Renaissance?

2. What did the Renaissance affect?

3. What did some historians postulate?

4. What were the other opinions as to the origin of the Renaissance?

5. What is one of the distinguishing features of the art cultural movement?

6. Who are the most famous representatives of the artistic pinnacles?

7. How did the Renaissance spread to Europe?

8. What do you know about the English Renaissance?

VI Render the text in brief in a written form

Text C

I Mind the following words and word-combinations:

1. inventor – винахідник

2. archetype – прообраз

3. infinite – безмежний

4. curiosity – цікавість

5. to equal – дорівнювати

6. diversely – різноманітно

7. renowned – визнаний

8. primarily – в першу чергу

9. vastly – широко

10. to conceptualise – замислювати

11. solar – сонячний

12. tensile strength – сила натягування

II Listen to the text. Decide if the statements are true or false:

1. Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian scientist, engineer, anatomist, painter, sculptor, botanist, musician and writer.

2. He is perhaps the most diversely talented person have ever to lived.

3. Leonardo is renowned primarily as a musician.

4. As an engineer, Leonardo conceptualised a plane.

5. As a scientist, he greatly advanced the state of knowledge in the fields of anatomy and hydrodynamics.

III Listen to the text again and be ready to answer the questions:

1. What is the most famous portrait by Leonardo da Vinci?

2. How is Leonardo da Vinci often described?

UNIT 2

HISTORY OF ARTS

Part II

TEXT A

I Listen and remember the following words.

1. to impose – накладати

2. to execute – виконувати

3. to view – дивитися, поглядати

4. to embody – втілювати

5. to intersect – перетинати

6. to supersede – замінювати, заміщати

7. to merge – змінюватися, зливатися

8. silverwork – вироби із срібла

9. refinement – витонченість, удосконалення

10. pre-eminence – перевага

II Read and remember the following phrases.

1. defining statement – вирішальний фактор

2. extra-sculptural elements – додаткові скульптурні елементи

3. concealed lighting – приховане освітлення

4. excessive ornamentation – надмірний орнамент

5. complexity of lines – складність ліній

6. en graved publications – фоліанти

III Read and translate the following text:

Baroque and Rococo

Baroque is an artistic style of unity imposed upon rich heavy detail.

A defining statement of what Baroque signifies in painting is provided by the series of paintings executed by Peter Paul Rubens for Marie de Medici at the Luxembourg Palace in Paris.

In Baroque sculpture, was a dynamic movement and energy of human forms. These sculpture often had multiple ideal viewing angels. The characteristic Baroque sculpture added extra-sculptural elements, for example concealed lighting, or water fountains.

Baroque architecture was taken up with enthusiasm in central Germany (Ludwigsburg Palace and Zwinger Dresden), Austria and Russia (Peterhof). In England the culmination of Baroque architecture was embodied in work by Sir Christopher Wren, Sir John Vanburgh and Nicholas Hawksmoor. Many examples of Baroque architecture and town planning are found in other European towns, and in Latin America. Town planning of this period featured radiating avenues intersecting in squares, which took ones from Baroque garden plans.

In modern usage, the term “Baroque” may still be used, usually describing works of art, craft, or design that are thought to have excessive ornamentation or complexity of line.

Baroque was superseded in many centres by the Rococo style, beginning in France in the late 1720s, especially for interiors, paintings and the decorative arts.

The 1730 represented the height of Rococo development in France. The style had spread beyond architecture and furniture to painting and sculpture.

The Rococo style spread with French artists and engraved publications. It was readily received in the Catholic parts of Germany, Bohemia, and Austria, where it was merged with the lively German Baroque traditions. In Great Britain Rococo was always thought of as the “French taste”. It was never widely adopted as an architectural style, although its influence was strongly felt in such areas as silverwork, porcelain, and silk. Thomas Chippendale transformed British furniture design through his adaptation and refinement of the style.

It is not surprising, that French Rococo art was at home indoors. Metalwork, porcelain figures, frills and especially furniture rose to new pre-eminence as the French upper class thought to outfit their homes in the new fashionable style.

Rococo style took pleasure is asymmetry, a taste that was new to European style.

During the Rococo period, furniture was lighthearted, physically and visually. The idea of furniture had evolved to a symbol of status and took on a role in comfort and versatility. Furniture could be easily moved around for gatherings.

In general, Rococo is an entirely interior style because the wealthy and aristocratic moved back to Paris from Versailles.

Though Rococo originated in the purely decorative arts, the style showed clearly in painting. The painters used delicate colours and curving forms, decorating their canvases with cherubs and myths of love. Portraiture was also popular among Rococo painters.

Sculpture was another area where the Rococo was widely adopted. Etienne-Maurice Falconet is widely considered as one of the best representatives of French Rococo. This style was best expressed through delicate porcelain sculpture. Falconet himself was a director of a famous porcelain factory.

ІV Answer the questions:

1. What kind of style is Baroque?

2. Whose works signify the Baroque style in painting?

3. Where was Baroque architecture taken up with enthusiasm?

4. Where can examples of Baroque architecture be found?

5. What does the term “Baroque” mean in modern usage?

6. What style was Baroque superseded by?

7. Who promoted the Rococo style spreading?

8. Where was this style popular?

9. How was Rococo embodied in furniture?

10. Why is Rococo considered to be an entirely interior style?