ICSE CHAMP

Michelangelo

by Sampoorn Singh Kalra

(Mulberry) (Standard Version)

PRE-READ

Match the names of the pieces of art given in Column A with the names of the artists in Column B.

Column A Column B

Mona Lisa Da Vinci

The Tragedy Picasso

The Starry Night Van Gogh

Woman with a Parasol Monet

Answers

1. Mona Lisa — Da Vinci 

2. The Tragedy — Picasso 

3. The Starry Night — Van Gogh 

4. Woman with a Parasol — Monet 

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Quick Answers

1. Complete the following sentences.

a. Rome had begun to bore Michelangelo because _______________________.

Answer:

Rome had begun to bore Michelangelo because he could not find faces with individuality and character. Everywhere he looked, the faces seemed alike to him, and he was unable to find suitable models for the biblical figures he wished to paint.

b. Michelangelo had found Mary with ease when he saw _______________________.

Answer:

Michelangelo had found Mary with ease when he saw his mother carrying two pots of water strung from a bamboo stick on her shoulder.

c. Michelangelo had refused to paint the frescoes for the Sistine Chapel because _______________________.

Answer:

Michelangelo had refused to paint the frescoes for the Sistine Chapel because he believed that he was a sculptor and not a painter. He preferred working with marble and creating sculptures rather than painting on walls and ceilings.

d. Michelangelo found his Judas in a _______________________ where he was _______________________.

Answer:

Michelangelo found his Judas in a dirty eatery in Rome where he was asking people for change for a florin and tricking them into sharing their food with him.

e. Michelangelo was taken aback when his Judas _______________________.

Answer:

Michelangelo was taken aback when his Judas revealed that he was Marsolini, the same child whose face Michelangelo had once used as the model for Baby Jesus.

Reference to Context

2. “I don't want any unpleasantness at this stage.”

a. Whose opinion was this?

Answer:

This opinion was expressed by Pope Julius. He was speaking to himself while thinking about Michelangelo and the difficulties associated with his work on the Sistine Chapel.

b. What problem was he thinking of?

Answer:

The Pope was thinking about Michelangelo's unusual behaviour and his long search for the face of Judas. He remembered an earlier incident when Michelangelo had excitedly claimed to have found the perfect model for a sculpture by using the body of a dead man. This had caused delays and embarrassment. The Pope was worried that another similar problem might arise before the completion of the Sistine Chapel paintings.

c. What was the work that is being referred to here?

Answer:

The work referred to was Michelangelo's commission to paint frescoes depicting important events from the Bible on the walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The project had taken several years and was nearing completion. Only the painting of The Last Judgement, especially the figure of Judas, remained unfinished.

3. “The sight fascinated Angelo.”

a. Where was Michelangelo sitting?

Answer:

Michelangelo was sitting on a bench outside an eatery in Bologna while his father was eating inside.

b. What was the sight that fascinated Michelangelo?

Answer:

The sight that fascinated Michelangelo was that of a poor street urchin who quietly collected peanuts that had fallen to the ground while helping a peanut seller. The child moved quickly across the street, picking up the fallen peanuts and popping them into his mouth. Michelangelo found the boy's innocent appearance and actions very interesting.

c. What influence did the sight have on Michelangelo?

Answer:

The sight inspired Michelangelo to make several sketches of the child. Later, when he painted the Madonna of Bruges, he used those sketches to create the face of Baby Jesus. Thus, the sight provided him with the inspiration for one of his most important artistic creations.

4. “Why do you love stone so much? Why not canvas and colours?”

a. Who spoke these lines?

Answer:

These lines were spoken by Pope Julius to Michelangelo.

b. What was Michelangelo's response to the questions given above?

Answer:

Michelangelo replied that colours merge and lose their identity when mixed with other colours, whereas marble retains its individuality forever. This was why he preferred stone and sculpture over painting.

c. Where exactly did Michelangelo's genius fail him?

Answer:

Michelangelo's genius failed him when he tried to paint the face of Judas. Although he was a brilliant artist capable of creating extraordinary works, he could not imagine or find the perfect face for Judas for nearly four years. This inability frustrated him greatly and delayed the completion of his masterpiece.

Read, Reflect and Write

5. What work had Michelangelo been assigned by the Pope?

Answer:

Michelangelo had been assigned the task of painting frescoes depicting important events from the Bible on the walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Pope Julius entrusted him with this enormous responsibility because he believed Michelangelo was the only artist capable of accomplishing such a grand project. The paintings were meant to illustrate biblical stories and inspire visitors through their beauty and spiritual significance. Although Michelangelo considered himself primarily a sculptor, he eventually accepted the assignment and devoted years of hard work to completing it.

6. Why did Pope Julius prefer Michelangelo to Bramante?

Answer:

Pope Julius preferred Michelangelo to Bramante because Michelangelo possessed a unique artistic vision and an extraordinary ability to observe people and capture individual character in his work. Bramante's paintings, although technically good, contained faces that looked very similar to one another, as though they had all been made from the same mould. Michelangelo, on the other hand, believed that every human being was unique and searched tirelessly for faces that reflected different personalities. The Pope admired this dedication to perfection and trusted Michelangelo more than Bramante for the important task of decorating the Sistine Chapel.

7. Why do you think Pope Julius gave Michelangelo so much time to find his Judas? Do you think Michelangelo deserved the duration he was given by the Pope?

Answer:

Pope Julius gave Michelangelo so much time because he understood that great art requires patience and careful observation. He knew that Michelangelo was not delaying the work out of laziness but because he genuinely wanted to find the perfect face for Judas. The Pope had great faith in Michelangelo's talent and knew that the final masterpiece would justify the long wait.

Yes, I believe Michelangelo deserved the time he was given. His commitment to excellence showed that he valued quality over speed. The final revelation that the same person who had inspired the face of Baby Jesus later became the model for Judas proves how deeply Michelangelo understood human nature and how carefully he selected his models.

8. What, according to you, is the central idea of the story?

Answer:

The central idea of the story is that human beings can change dramatically over time and that true artists observe life deeply before creating their works. The story shows Michelangelo's dedication to perfection and his belief that every face tells a unique story. It also highlights how circumstances can transform a person's character. The innocent child who once represented Baby Jesus eventually became the model for Judas, symbolizing the journey from innocence to corruption. Through this surprising ending, the story teaches us about the unpredictability of life and the importance of understanding human nature.

9. Marsolini had gone from being the radiant child whose face Michelangelo had given to Baby Jesus, to the beady-eyed man fit to be painted as Judas. What do you think could have been the circumstances that had caused this change in him?

Answer:

Marsolini's transformation may have been caused by poverty, loneliness, lack of guidance, and the hardships of life. As a child, he was innocent, cheerful, and helpful. However, growing up in difficult circumstances may have forced him to struggle constantly for survival. Without proper education, support, or opportunities, he may have become dishonest and developed habits such as deceiving people for food and money.

Life's disappointments and hardships can sometimes change a person's outlook and behaviour. The innocent child who once inspired the image of Baby Jesus may gradually have become bitter, suspicious, and cunning. His transformation serves as a reminder that social conditions and personal experiences can have a powerful influence on a person's character and destiny.

10. Extended Writing: Do you think Michelangelo was a genius? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Answer:

Yes, I believe Michelangelo was a genius. The story provides many examples of his extraordinary talent, dedication, and artistic vision. Unlike ordinary artists, he did not simply paint imaginary faces. Instead, he searched for real people whose expressions and personalities matched the characters he wanted to portray.

His search for the face of Judas lasted four years because he refused to compromise his standards. This demonstrates his commitment to perfection. He found inspiration for Mary in his own mother and used sketches of a poor child from Bologna as the model for Baby Jesus. These examples show his ability to see beauty and meaning in ordinary people.

Michelangelo also possessed remarkable imagination and sensitivity. He studied the Bible deeply and tried to understand the emotions and personalities of its characters. His belief that every face should be unique reveals his deep understanding of human nature.

Finally, the dramatic discovery that the same person had inspired both Baby Jesus and Judas highlights Michelangelo's keen observation and artistic insight. His ability to transform real-life experiences into timeless works of art proves that he was truly a genius.

INTEGRATE

11. Michelangelo was also a sculptor. He sculpted a number of statues from marble. Marble is a metamorphic rock, which means it has gone through a metamorphosis, or a change. When heat and pressure are applied to limestone, marble is formed. List the different uses of stone that you see in your vicinity. Collect different samples of rocks and with the help of your teacher, sort and categorize them.

Sample Answer

Uses of stone in my vicinity:

1. Construction of houses and buildings. 

2. Road construction and paving. 

3. Bridges and culverts. 

4. Temple and monument construction. 

5. Flooring and wall decoration. 

6. Statues and sculptures. 

7. Garden pathways and landscaping. 

8. Boundary walls and fences. 

9. Railway ballast. 

10. Decorative items and handicrafts. 

Categories of rocks:

• Igneous Rocks – Granite, Basalt 

• Sedimentary Rocks – Sandstone, Limestone 

• Metamorphic Rocks – Marble, Slate, Quartzite 

WORD WALL

Synonyms

1. Replace the underlined expressions with synonyms from the story. Make other changes to the sentences if necessary, without changing the meaning.

a. The emperor announced that he would be building a new summer palace.

Answer:

The emperor proclaimed that he would be building a new summer palace.

b. Nafisa has a certain distinctive quality in her appearance, said Devika.

Answer:

Nafisa has a certain character in her appearance, said Devika.

c. Do you think I can go up to her and ask her if she will chair the seminar?

Answer:

Do you think I can approach her and ask her if she will chair the seminar?

d. Julian was annoyed because he had been going to Sofiya's house for about a week to meet her, but each time he found a large padlock on the door.

Answer:

Julian was frustrated because he had been going to Sofiya's house for about a week to meet her, but each time he found a large padlock on the door.

e. His sudden appearance added to the joy at Arun's birthday party.

Answer:

His unexpected appearance added to the joy at Arun's birthday party.

f. The artist was making beautiful paintings on the wet plaster at the church.

Answer:

The artist was making beautiful frescoes on the wet plaster at the church.

g. The hawker continued to follow us with his wares although we did not want to buy anything from him.

Answer:

The vendor continued to follow us with his wares although we did not want to buy anything from him.

Prefixes

2. Match the prefixes to the words to get antonyms of the words. Then use them in sentences of your own.

Prefix Word Antonym

in accurate inaccurate

non sense nonsense

dis belief disbelief

un available unavailable

anti septic antiseptic

il legal illegal

ir responsible irresponsible

mis spell misspell

im polite impolite

Sentences

1. The report contained several inaccurate details. 

2. His excuse sounded like complete nonsense. 

3. The news was met with disbelief by everyone. 

4. The principal was unavailable during the meeting. 

5. Doctors use antiseptic lotion to clean wounds. 

6. It is illegal to drive without a licence. 

7. It is irresponsible to waste water. 

8. Do not misspell important words in an examination. 

9. It is impolite to interrupt others while they are speaking. 

GRAMMAR TIME

Tenses and Time

1. Complete the table given below with the correct tense form.

Tense Positive (+) Negative (-) Question (?)

Simple Present James goes to school every day. James does not go to school every day. Does James go to school every day?

Present Continuous James and his friends are playing in the park this evening. James and his friends are not playing in the park this evening. Are James and his friends playing in the park this evening?

Present Perfect They have won the match. They have not won the match. Have they won the match?

Simple Past He finished his homework in time. He did not finish his homework in time. Did he finish his homework in time?

Past Continuous James was studying all evening. James was not studying all evening. Was James studying all evening?

Past Perfect James had finished his project by the time Mother reached home. James had not finished his project by the time Mother reached home. Had James finished his project by the time Mother reached home?

Simple Future James will miss the train tomorrow if he doesn't go to sleep soon. James will not miss the train tomorrow if he doesn't go to sleep soon. Will James miss the train tomorrow if he doesn't go to sleep soon?

Continued Table

Tense Positive (+) Negative (-) Question (?)

Future Continuous Tomorrow, James will be writing his last test. Tomorrow, James will not be writing his last test. Will James be writing his last test tomorrow?

Present Perfect Continuous James has been waiting for you for hours. James has not been waiting for you for hours. Has James been waiting for you for hours?

Past Perfect Continuous James had been waiting for you when Sushi came and took him for lunch. James had not been waiting for you when Sushi came and took him for lunch. Had James been waiting for you when Sushi came and took him for lunch?

Future Perfect James will have learnt Tamil by the time you come back from Europe. James will not have learnt Tamil by the time you come back from Europe. Will James have learnt Tamil by the time you come back from Europe?

2. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb given in brackets.

Answers

I would not have met (meet) my friend, Samantha, had it not been for an odd incident.

I was studying (study) at a Women's College in Ooty.

I travelled (travel) a distance of more than fifty-five kilometres by a motorcycle every day.

One day, I reached (reach) home very late at night.

Just as I was going (go) to sleep, there was a knock on the door.

Had it not been for the lights which I had left (leave) on, I would not have left (not leave) my bed on that wintry night.

I opened (open) the door to find a young lady with a kitten in her arms.

The kitten was bleeding (bleed) and it looked (look) as if its mistress had been waiting (wait) for a very long time before setting out to look for help.

I ushered (usher) them in and called (call) in a veterinary doctor.

Since that night, Samantha and I have been (be) fast friends and the kitten has stayed (stay) with us in our happiness and in our sorrow.

DICTIONARY

Multiple Meanings and Usage of Words

1. Given below are words that have multiple meanings. Look up any four of them in the dictionary and use them in sentences of your own. Make sure that the sentences clarify each of the meanings of the words.

(A) Present

Meaning 1: A gift

Sentence: My uncle gave me a beautiful present on my birthday.

Meaning 2: To show or introduce

Sentence: The principal will present the prizes to the winners.

(B) Train

Meaning 1: Railway vehicle

Sentence: The train arrived at the station on time.

Meaning 2: To teach or prepare

Sentence: The coach trained the players for the tournament.

(C) Record

Meaning 1: A written account

Sentence: The school keeps a record of every student's attendance.

Meaning 2: To capture information

Sentence: The journalist used a camera to record the event.

(D) Plant

Meaning 1: A living organism that grows in soil

Sentence: I watered the plant every morning.

Meaning 2: A factory or industrial unit

Sentence: My uncle works in a manufacturing plant.

WRITE WELL

Picture Composition

1. Study the picture given below. Write a short story or a description of what the picture suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take hints from it; however, your composition must have a clear connection with the picture.

Answer

A Visit to the Art Museum

Last Sunday, I visited a famous art museum with my parents. The museum was large and beautifully decorated. Paintings of different sizes and styles were displayed on the walls. Some paintings showed scenes from history, while others depicted nature, religious events, and everyday life.

Many visitors were sitting quietly on benches, carefully observing the artworks. Some were taking notes while others were discussing the paintings with their friends. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful. Everyone seemed absorbed in the beauty of the masterpieces around them.

One painting particularly caught my attention. It showed a dramatic historical scene filled with emotion and detail. I stood before it for several minutes, admiring the artist's skill and imagination. I realized how artists can communicate powerful ideas and feelings through colours and shapes.

The museum visit taught me that art is not merely decoration. It is a way of preserving history, expressing emotions, and sharing ideas across generations. By observing the paintings, I learned about different cultures, beliefs, and periods of history.

When I left the museum, I felt inspired and grateful for the opportunity to witness such wonderful works of art. It was an unforgettable experience that increased my appreciation for artists and their creativity.

LISTEN AND SPEAK WELL

1. Listen to the passage carefully and then read the words given below. Do you think they can be used to describe Michelangelo? Choose either Yes or No and justify your choice in a sentence or two.

a. Simple

Answer: Yes

Justification: Michelangelo lived a simple life and was more interested in his work than in luxury or comfort. He devoted himself completely to his art.

b. Generous

Answer: Yes

Justification: Michelangelo showed kindness towards others. He shared food with the beady-eyed man and was willing to help people despite being busy with his work.

c. Considerate

Answer: Yes

Justification: Michelangelo carefully observed people's feelings and personalities. He respected the uniqueness of every individual and tried to portray them accurately in his paintings.

d. Hard-working

Answer: Yes

Justification: Michelangelo spent years painting the Sistine Chapel and searching for the perfect face of Judas. His dedication and perseverance prove that he was extremely hard-working.

e. Selfish

Answer: No

Justification: Michelangelo was dedicated to creating great art and helping others. His actions show concern for his work and for people around him rather than selfishness.

2. Form groups. Each group will decide on a famous artist or author. Then play a game as suggested below.

a. Give five clues to the other groups to guess the person chosen by you.

Example: Michelangelo

Clue 1: I was an Italian artist of the Renaissance period.

Clue 2: I was also a famous sculptor.

Clue 3: I painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Clue 4: I created the statue of David.

Clue 5: I am regarded as one of the greatest artists in history.

Answer: Michelangelo

b. Each group should talk about the artist/author they have chosen, before the class.

Sample Speech on Michelangelo

Michelangelo was one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance. He was born in Italy and excelled as a painter, sculptor, architect, and poet. His most famous works include the ceiling paintings of the Sistine Chapel and the statue of David. Michelangelo believed in perfection and worked tirelessly to achieve excellence in his art. His masterpieces continue to inspire people throughout the world. His dedication, creativity, and extraordinary talent have made him one of the most respected artists in history.