Mythology Workshop

• PHOTOS

Spend some time in a museum with a kid and you quickly realize that an understanding of myths and mythology is crucial to understanding art. This workshop takes place in and around the Villa Farnesina, which was the private villa of Agostino Chigi, on the banks of the Tiber River, where the Renaissance painter Raphael (and others) painted some of the most important mythological works in the world. A quiet refuge from the bustling city—and uniquely situated off the tourist track—this is the perfect setting for a fascinating discussion of myths, art, and the world of the Renaissance.

Our time begins near the Campo de'Fiori, which will give us the opportunity to explore several nearby palazzi and introduce the subject of mythology and its importance in Renaissance art and architecture. We will then amble toward the Trastevere neighborhood, crossing over the Ponte Sisto, a great feat of engineering for the Renaissance popes. If the mood strikes, we may have a chance to do some sketching

Spend some time in a museum with a kid and you quickly realize that an understanding of myths and mythology is crucial to understanding art. This workshop takes place in and around the Villa Farnesina, which was the private villa of Agostino Chigi, on the banks of the Tiber River, where the Renaissance painter Raphael (and others) painted some of the most important mythological works in the world. A quiet refuge from the bustling city—and uniquely situated off the tourist track—this is the perfect setting for a fascinating discussion of myths, art, and the world of the Renaissance.

Our time begins near the Campo de'Fiori, which will give us the opportunity to explore several nearby palazzi and introduce the subject of mythology and its importance in Renaissance art and architecture. We will then amble toward the Trastevere neighborhood, crossing over the Ponte Sisto, a great feat of engineering for the Renaissance popes. If the mood strikes, we may have a chance to do some sketching at this point, as the bridge provides a lovely view of the cupola of St. Peter's.
Your docent will then lead your family into an interactive discussion of the frescoes by Raphael within the Villa Farnesina and their mythological context. Your family will learn about gods and goddesses, hear tales of their exploits, and learn to identify them by their attributes. Your family will also gain insight into ancient Roman religious practices and how they perceived their world. One myth especially prominent in our discussion is that of Cupid and Psyche, an exciting tale of forbidden love between a mortal and a god. Raphael has laid out this story visually in spectacular frescoed loggia at the back of the villa.
In conjunction with learning about each god and goddess, your family will be given drawings, specially created for Context by illustrator Jessica Golden, of the gods. These cards, which contain information about each god, can then be used during and after your travels, as once your family is attuned to identifying the attributes of each god, you'll notice them appearing everywhere! For smaller children, these cards can be used to play a scavenger hunt within the villa itself.

In order to plan the best possible experience for your children, it would be helpful for us know some background. Have they traveled to other countries in the past? If so, where? Have they studied any subjects in school that would relate to the walk? Are they interested in art, music, even food! The more you can tell us, the better.

Due to the very interactive nature of this program and given the educational environment our docent aim to evoke, we adhere to a very strict maximum of 6 participants. Groups larger than 6 will need to book two separate walks that can run concurrently, but with different docents.