PMA Summer Camp Program 2018

Theme: Urban Explorers

Lesson Plan by: Haley Stodart

Title of work: Villa at Caprarola

Name of artist (b. - d.): Claude-Joseph Vernet
Medium, Year: Oil on Canvas, 1746
Gallery # 283

 
Introduction Why is this a good choice for the theme of Urban Explorers? How does it
reinforce the big idea? Why will this be interesting to children? How will it relate to the
art project?
This shows the Queen of Spain, Elizabeth Farnese, traveling from Spain to her villa
near the city of Rome, which is a prime example of exploring from one urban center to
another. This matches the theme perfectly, and reinforces the big idea. This is
interesting for the children because it’s a very large painting showing this exploration of
the past, something they may not see done to the same extent in the modern day, but
definitely in a similar fashion. When thinking of the art project, students can consider if
they want to include explorers/various modes of transportation in their cities!
 
Goals (Think about how these reinforce the big idea? Ex: Students will learn…Students
will practice…Students will be able to…)

● Students will learn that urban exploration has happened for hundreds of years
● Students will practice looking closely at a painting
● Students will be able engage with the studio project by considering what they
would want to take with them/have in a city on their own explorations
 
Questions (ex. What do you see? What connections can you make? Do you like this?
What could this mean?)

● What do you see when you look at this painting?

● What do you think these people are doing? Is everyone in the painting doing the
same thing?
● Does this look like it’s in a city or surrounded by nature? Can we find nature in
cities just like we find large buildings in nature?
● Which one do you think is the Queen? What about the Cardinal (Ambassador to
Rome)?
● The artist painted himself in this painting – can you find him? What do you think
he might be doing?
Transitions (How does this piece connect to the piece before and the piece after?
What connections can you make to other artworks featured this summer? What
connections can you make to the studio project?)

Traveling to a different part of the world…Do you think we got the tea house here like
the Queen is carrying her things? Would you see someone with suitcases and other
friends in the city?

Materials (What materials will you need to bring with you? Ex. ipad, pencils, pictures,
felt board, sample of medium)

● pencils
● suitcase paper activity
●

Activities (What will the students do to reinforce their learning? ex. games, drawing,
movement, writing)
I will as the children what they would want to bring with them on a trip if they were going
to Caprarola or Rome or truly anywhere they want to go. What is important for them to
fit in their suitcase? Can they fit it all in the suitcase or do they need a horse and buggy
like the queen to fit it? They can write/describe what they would want to bring or draw it.
 
Background Information (Information about the artist, the artwork, the medium, the
style etc.)
- In the center of this painting a grand procession of courtiers and clerics with
Elizabeth Farnese, the queen of Spain, take an afternoon walk in Caprarola,
north of Rome. Caprarola was known since antiquity for its cool air and rugged
beauty. The country palace of the Farnese family, visible in the background, was
being used by the Spanish ambassador to Rome, Cardinal Acquaviva, who leads
the procession.
- Seated on a rock on the left is Vernet, recording every detail of this informal yet
significant event.
- Elisabeth Farnese of Parma, queen to Philip V of Spain
 o Their son Don Carlos was King of Naples and the Two Sicilies and on his
father's death in 1746 became Charles III of Spain
- In 1745 Cardinal Acquaviva, Spanish ambassador to Rome, commissioned this
painting to commemorate the visit of the Italian-born queen of Spain, Elizabeth
Farnese, to one of her ancestral homes, the Villa Farnese at Caprarola near
Rome. Here Elizabeth, the cardinal, and their elegant entourage have descended
from their carriages to take the air.
- Brought to Philadelphia by Joseph Boneparte, who was exiled after the fall of his
brother, Napoleon.
Vocabulary
● Vocab Word (n.): definition of the word
 
 
Bibliography 
 
 https://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/72056.html?mulR=1809140958|1