Saint Ursula and Her Maidens

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I'm so excited to show you a really cool picture! It's called Saint Ursula and Her Maidens, and it's super old – from way back in 1475! That's like, hundreds and hundreds of years ago! Can anyone guess how old that is? nn

(Pause for children's responses) nn

This picture isn't painted, it's a print! The artist, Israhel van Meckenem, was super clever. He carved a design into a metal plate, then used ink to make lots of copies. Imagine having to carve all those tiny details! It's like a really, really detailed coloring book, but instead of coloring, he used ink. nn

(Pause for children's responses/questions) nn

Look at the main person in the picture, Saint Ursula. See her crown? That shows she's important. She's got a fancy dress and a special stick called a staff. And look, she's with all her friends, her maidens! They're all sitting nicely, some even reading books! What do you think they're reading about? nn

(Pause for children's responses) nn

See the two angels with big wings on either side of Saint Ursula? They're there to protect her. The whole picture is mostly black and white, but the artist was really good at showing light and shadow, making the clothes and hair look fluffy and real. It's like a puzzle of lines, all fitting together perfectly. nn

(Pause for children's responses/questions) nn

This picture tells us a lot about what people believed a long, long time ago. It shows how important faith and learning were. Saint Ursula was a very special person, and this picture is a way of remembering her and her story. Isn't it amazing how a picture can tell us so much? nn

(Pause for children's responses) nn

So, next time you see a picture, remember to look closely! See the details, think about the story, and imagine what life was like for the people who made it and the people it was made for. Thank you for joining me today! Do you have any more questions about Saint Ursula and her Maidens?