Mars

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I'm so excited to show you a really cool picture today! It's called "Mars," and it's super old – it was made way back in 1585! Can anyone guess how old that is? (Pause for answers). Wow, that's a long, long time ago! nn

This picture is a special kind of artwork called an engraving. It's like a really detailed drawing, but it was made by carefully carving lines into a metal plate, then printing it onto paper. It's black and white, but look how much detail there is! It's amazing, isn't it? nn

See this strong man? That's Mars! He's the Roman god of war. He looks pretty tough, doesn't he? He's holding a spear and a shield. What do you think he's going to do with them? (Pause for answers). He's ready for battle! Notice his muscles – they're really strong! And look at his helmet – it even has a little creature on it! What kind of creature do you think it is? (Pause for answers). nn

The artist, Philip Galle, was incredibly skilled. He used only black and white, but he made Mars look so real! He made the lines dark in some places to show where the light hits Mars, and lighter in other places to show shadows. This makes Mars look three-dimensional, like he's standing right in front of us! nn

This picture isn't just a pretty picture, though. It tells us about what people thought and believed a long, long time ago. It shows us how artists back then were amazing at showing strong bodies and telling stories through their art. It's like a little window into the past! What do you think this picture tells us about the people who lived back then? (Pause for answers). nn

So, what did you think of "Mars"? Wasn't it amazing? Remember, art can be fun and exciting, and it can also tell us a lot about history and the people who lived long ago. Now, let's go look at some more amazing art! nn