Patterns in medieval art
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and explain the sacred and symbolic patterns used in medieval paintings, and design my own pattern to express a personal idea, story, or memory.
Key learning points
- Medieval artists used geometric, floral, and gilded patterns to express spiritual ideas, not just decoration.
- Patterns were used to communicate meaning, such as harmony, holiness, and the connection between heaven and earth.
- Artists used patterns as a visual language to communicate ideas, beliefs, and stories to people who could not read.
Keywords
Pattern - a pattern is a design made by repeating shapes, lines, colours, or images
Geometric shape - a geometric shape is a regular shape with clear edges, often made using maths or tools
Symbolism - symbolism is when an object, shape, or image stands for an idea or meaning
Common misconception
Patterns in medieval paintings were just decoration.
Patterns actually had symbolic and spiritual meanings, helping people understand religious ideas when most couldn’t read.
Teacher tip
Have visual references (e.g. illuminated manuscripts, painted panels, halos, decorative borders) ready. Point to examples of repeating shapes, floral designs, and gold backgrounds, and explain their meanings before pupils start designing.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word texture mean in art?
Q2.What can thick texture in artwork help to show?
Q3.How can personal objects or images help to express identity in art?
Q4.True or false? If shapes in art look abstract, they don’t mean anything.
Q5.What is a memory in art?
Q6.What is impasto?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What do floral and vine patterns symbolise in medieval art?
Q2.What does symbolism mean in art?
Q3.True or false? Personal objects and images in art can become symbols of identity.
Q4.Why did artists use gold leaf or gilding in their artwork?
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Patterns in medieval art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Patterns in medieval art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 art and design lessons from the Charting self: exploring portrait and identity unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.