“Portrait of a Woman with a Music Book” shows a wealthy woman of high status. An artist called Bachiacca made this painting in the 1540s, during a time known as the Renaissance. During the Renaissance, people hired artists to paint portraits that told a story about them. The people in the portraits chose clothing, jewelry and objects like books and papers to be included in their paintings. They did this so that everyone who saw the paintings would know how important they were. What do you notice about the details included in this painting? What do they tell you about this woman?
The subject of this portrait used clothing and background details to tell about herself. She wears a pink silk dress with detachable fur-lined sleeves. These materials were luxurious and expensive. The green tablecloth’s embroidered border shows her high status and good taste.The music in her book and the bird suggest she might have been a singer. Despite all these details, her identity remains a mystery! Who do you think she might be?
Francesco d’Ubertino Verdi, called Bachiacca (1494 – 1557), “Portrait of a Woman with a Music Book,” ca. 1540 – 45. Oil, tempera and gold on panel, 103 × 80 centimeters (40 5/8 × 31 5/8 inches). The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, inv. 78.PB.227.
In this activity, you will make an accordion book that you can personalize to say something about you.
For this activity you will need:
- colorful paper
- cardboard
- scissors
- glue
- magazines or images for collaging
- pencil or pen
To Make Your Accordion Book:
- Cut a piece of paper in half lengthwise. Fold the long, thin strip in half widthwise, then fold both halves back toward the first crease. It should look like a W when you’re finished. Repeat with the other half of the paper.
- Glue the short ends of the W-shaped pieces of paper together so you have a longer accordion-shaped piece of paper.
- Trace the outline of the accordion paper on cardboard twice. Cut out these rectangles to make the base of the book covers. Now trace the cardboard on colorful paper, leaving about half an inch of border around it.
- Cut a 45 degree angle on each corner. Then glue the cardboard onto the paper, applying pressure over the whole piece.
- Fold the edges of the paper over the cardboard and glue.
- Glue the book cover to one end of the accordion paper. Repeat for the other cover.
- Decorate your book! How can you make the book say something about you?
