Gargoyles and Grotesques
What is a gargoyle?
The word gargoyle originally comes from the French word gargouille meaning throat or pipe.The English words gargle, gurgle and gargoyle come from gargouille. That’s why when we have a bad throat we gargle!
Gargoyles have been found through the ages as far back as ancient Greece and are nothing more than a decorated pipe (often the head of a fierce or frightening mythical creature) for the sole purpose of draining water off the roofs of buildings.
Only a creature that serves to drain water may have the name gargoyle, otherwise it is known as a grotesque.
Fifth graders studied gargoyles on medieval buildings in Europe as well as grotesques found on older buildings in the United States—including New York City. Students practiced drawing some of the faces made of stone, and made up some of their own. Their artwork is fun, ugly, and beautiful!
New York State Blueprint for the Arts:
Strand I: Art Making
Strand II: Literacy in the Visual Arts
Strand III: Making Connections
Strand IV: Community and Cultural Resources
Strand V: Careers and Lifelong Learning
