Influence of Ovid’s Metamorphoses…
Myth and Art
Ovid’s poem the Metamorphoses had a great influence on later art and literature. In this project you will examine a story from Ovid’s poem that influenced a later artist. Starting off with an understanding of the myth in the Metamorphoses, you will then analyze how that myth was interpreted and transformed by another artist.
****Your final project will consist of a three page 12-point font/regular margins essay that discusses the following items: (60 points)
general information about the artist who has reinterpreted Ovid
a description of the myth in Ovid’s Metamorphoses that inspired your artist
(based on an English translation of the text -- either provided by me, or an online translation, such as that of A. Kline: http://ovid.lib.virginia.edu/trans/Ovhome.htm#askline )
a discussion of how the artist shaped Ovid’s telling of the myth to make it his/her own
****You will give a brief (3-5 minute) presentation to the class that describes your findings in the essay. This should be a poster or slide presentation that includes an image of the art-work you are discussing. (20 points)
****You will translate from the Latin an excerpt from the selection of Ovid’s Metamorphoses that you choose to discuss. The excerpt should be 5-7 lines in length. You should discuss with me in advance your choice of lines. (20 points)
Worksheet on work of art and myth: Due in class: Jan 26, 2016
this will serve as the basis for your essay, so be as thorough as possible
Essay Due: in class Feb 2, 2016
Presentation: week of Feb 1 & Feb 8, 2016
Translation Due: in class Feb 11, 2016
You may find your own work of art/literature that was influenced by the Metamorphoses, or choose one from the following resources:
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC (http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb.html):
Titian (Venus and Adonis, c. 1560) ( http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/art-object-page.1223.html )
Sir Peter Paul Rubens (The Fall of Phaeton, c. 1604/1605) (http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/art-object-page.71349.html )
Peter Vischer the Younger (Orpheus and Eurydice, c. 1515) (http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/art-object-page.44285.html)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
List of works of art in the Metropolitan’s collections inspired by the Metamorphoses:
(http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hi/hi_grkovmet.htm)
The National Gallery, London
Web resources related to exhibition on Titian’s paintings inspired by Metamorphoses
(website includes translation of Ovid, poetry composed in honor of exhibition, and much more)
(http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/learn-about-art/titians-poesie-paintings/*/viewPage/1)
Khan Academy
Video on Correggio’s painting, “Jupiter and Io”