Panagiota Dragatogianni

1. Carols
By Nikiforos Lytras
A lesson plan
Created by Panagiota Dragatogianni

3. The painting "Carols" of Nikiforos Lytras (1873) causes emotion and
admiration while capturing a group of children of various nationalities
to say Christmas carols. This project is regarded as the crowning
moment in genre painting of Greece. The project is a typical example
of modern Greek rural genre painting. A group of boys, dressed in
traditional clothes and carrying traditional instruments, singing carols in
the yard of a rural house. From the open window or door distinguish a
woman who also wears traditional clothing, holding in her arms a child,
hear the little musicians and singers.

4. Nikiforos Lytras (1832 Tinos -Athens 1904) was a nineteenth-century Greek painter
and the most important representatives of the Munich School in modern painting.
He was born in Tinos, and trained in Athens at the School of Arts. In 1860 he won a
scholarship to Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Munich. After completing these
studies, he became a professor at the School of Arts in 1866, a position he held for
the rest of his life. He remained faithful to the precepts and principles of the Munich
School, while paying greatest attention both to ethographic themes and portraits.
Always he found warm supporters and admirers among his students. He taught with
dedication and commitment to the school as his death. Considered one of the first
great masters of painting in Greece .

5. In response to the painting…
• Students observed the painting and analyze what they see
• how many children? where are they? what they are holding in their hands? who hears their
song? what color predominates in the painting?
• how you feel watching the painting?
• are we singing carols today?
• Talk about the painter and his work
• Learn about our ethics and traditions
• Talk about carols (kalanta) and how many differences are in our country depended
on the date and place that they are singing

6. Singing traditional Carols
• Kalanta Pontoy which is Vizantine Christmas Carols from Kotyron of
Pontos a historical Greek designation for a region on the southern coast of
the Black Sea in their traditional speech
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y_LGfzm8GM
• Kalanta Foton which they are singing on Epiphany, the 6th of January that
we celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKiVoFox7_c

7. Observe the picture
and imagine a story
about it
• Use the worksheet (at the end of
the presentation) for help
• Work in groups of 4 or 5
• Pick a role for you in the story you
made
• Describe the season of your story
• Share roles

8. Dramatize the story with body movements without words

9. Use the technique of freeze frame for
improvisation that gives life to the painting

10. Give life to the painting

11. Worksheet – “Imagine the Story”
• Group:
• Name of students:
• Write a few words about the story
• Where this is happening?
• What season – year?
• Describe the scene:
• How many people are involved and which role has each one of them (you):
• Title of the story:

12. “
”
Learning through art
The lessons took place in Primary School of Agia Marina Neas Makris Greece
Physical Education Teacher and Drama lessons: Giota Dragatogianni
Art teacher: Daisy Perraki
Music teacher: Lydia Sotiropoulou
Technical Support: Vasilios Mpetses