Build A Picture Of The Pygmalion Myth

Build A Picture Of The Pygmalion Mythbang Mollypicture

Build a picture of the Pygmalion myth. Make a list of words to describe each character in the Greek myth. First, build a picture with words – adjectives. Use several words to describe each character and words to describe the setting of the story.

Consider abstract shapes, types of lines (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal), and range of colors that will define the main characters and the setting of the myth. Review your previous answers and notes about the elements of art. Think about how the use of these elements helps to create the structure and content of your picture.

Use colored paper from magazines or cutouts with magic markers to create shapes. Cut a variety of shape sizes and consider which character you think is most important; make that shape the largest, and the least important, the smallest. Play with the shapes and their counter shapes, then decide on the best arrangement and glue the pieces onto the mat board, filling the entire surface.

Observe your design carefully. Does it tell the story visually and evoke emotion? Is it unified? Ask someone else to interpret your picture and tell you how they read it. The goal is to develop a unified, thoughtful design that visually conveys the characters and theme of the myth. Focus on the process, and remember that your grade depends on your thinking process, not on artistic skill. Have fun creating!

On the back of the mat board, attach a written explanation of your reasoning process: why you chose specific colors and shapes and what they signify.

Paper For Above instruction

The Pygmalion myth, a story rooted in Greek mythology, revolves around the character of Pygmalion, a sculptor who creates an ivory statue of a woman so beautiful that he falls in love with his artwork. The narrative explores themes of creation, idealization, and transformation. To visually interpret this myth, I approached the project by identifying key characters and setting, then translating their attributes into geometric shapes, colors, and lines to evoke the emotional core of the story.

For Pygmalion himself, I chose to use a large, elongated triangle shape to symbolize his ambition and focus as a sculptor. The triangle's sharp angles and vertical orientation suggest strength, dedication, and upward aspiration, aligning with his passionate craftsmanship. I colored this shape in a warm, earthy tone—perhaps ochre or burnt sienna—to represent his grounded artistry and creative energy. The size of this shape was the largest, emphasizing his central role in the myth.

The statue he carves was represented by a softer, rounded oval shape, signifying beauty, delicacy, and femininity. I used a light, luminous color—like ivory or pale pink—to embody the perceived perfection and purity of the sculpture. Its smaller size, compared to Pygmalion, indicates its status as a creation rather than an independent character. This shape’s placement near Pygmalion's form signifies his attachment and the emotional connection he feels towards his creation.

The goddess Aphrodite, who grants life to the sculpture, was depicted by a small, dynamic swirl or spiral shape, rendered in a vibrant, awakening color such as crimson or gold. This symbolizes divine intervention, passion, and the transformative power of love. I placed her shape close to the statue, signifying her role as the catalyst for the statue's transformation into a living woman. The contrast in shape—spiral versus static—highlights her divine energy impacting the scene.

The setting of the myth, often associated with a workshop or natural landscape, was captured through horizontal lines and layered shapes suggesting a space rooted in creativity and nature. I used muted greens and blues to evoke a calm, contemplative environment conducive to artistic creation and divine influence. These colors also contrast with the vibrant hues of Aphrodite, illustrating the contrast between human effort and divine power.

From a composition perspective, I arranged these shapes to create a balanced yet dynamic flow, with the largest shape (Pygmalion) anchoring the scene, the statue representing the core of the story, and the divine swirl providing a focal point that draws the viewer’s eye. The negative spaces around these shapes were considered to emphasize their relationships and to create unity within the design. Using lines, the narrative's tension and energy are conveyed, leading the viewer seamlessly through the myth’s key elements.

Color choices were deliberately made to reflect emotional undertones: warm tones for human passion and effort, light tones for purity and beauty, and vibrant, divine hues for transformation and love. These choices aimed to evoke empathy, admiration, and reflection on the myth’s themes of love, creation, and divine intervention. Overall, the design reflects the myth’s emotional depth, visual hierarchy, and symbolic richness, resulting in a cohesive and meaningful pictorial interpretation.

References

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