Using paintings in Religious Education
The Ascension Jacopo di Cione and workshop, 1370-1, National Gallery;
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jacopo-di-cione-and-workshop-the-ascension-uppertier-panel
Acts 1: 6-11; Luke 24:50-53
Background information for teachers
(This information will not necessarily be shared with children. These interpretations are only one
viewpoint and children should be given an opportunity to form their own opinions about the
picture)
In this painting the artist has placed Mary (dressed in dark blue), St Peter (dressed in a gold
cloak to symbolise his future role as the first Pope) and St John, traditionally acknowledged as
the beloved disciple, centrally, with the remaining nine apostles gathered around. (Judas has not
yet been replaced)
The two angels on the left, represent the two men dressed in white (Acts 1: 10-11). One points
upwards to the focus of the painting, which is Christ ascended into heaven (symbolised by the
gold background and the angels).
The scripture texts do not mention the names of those present (Acts 1: 6-11; Luke 24:50-53)
There is more information about the painting and the artist available on the National Gallery
website.
Ensure that the children realise:
o The picture is not historically accurate but the artist’s imaginative reconstruction
The painting provides a starting point to stimulate the children’s imagination but discussion and
outcomes should always return to the scripture story.
Approach
The picture might be displayed on the interactive board and reflective music played. It is helpful
to allow the children to express their own responses to the picture before any general discussion
takes place.
When discussion and practical activities have taken place, create a prayerful atmosphere and
return to the picture so that the children are given an opportunity to reflect quietly on their own
insights.
Some possible activities – these suggestions are only intended to be starting points. The year
groups are approximate and questions and activities should be adapted to the needs of the
children.
Year 1
Possible Curriculum Directory links:
Revelation – hear, read and become
familiar with main events, characters
and places in the life of Jesus
Life in Christ – hear about the Holy
Spirit as the helper Jesus promised in

Ask the children to talk about the picture and
describe what they can see.
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jacopo-dicione-and-workshop-the-ascension-upper-tier-panel
 Listen to a simple version of the story(Acts 1:
6-11)
 Discuss in partners about how the disciples
might have felt about Jesus’ going and his
his Church

Year 2
Possible Curriculum Directory links:
Revelation – hear, read and become
familiar with main events, characters
and places in the life of Jesus
Life in Christ – hear about the Holy
Spirit as the helper Jesus promised in
his Church
promise to send a friend to help them
Express these feelings in gestures, perhaps to
some reflective music

Discuss the picture in partners. What do they
like about the picture? Who do they think the
people are?
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jacopo-dicione-and-workshop-the-ascension-upper-tier-panel
 Tell the story simply, keeping very close to the
Scripture account (Acts 1: 6-11). Discuss in
pairs how the disciples might have felt when
Jesus had gone and how they might have felt
about the promise of the Holy Spirit
 ‘Hot-seat’ one of the disciples (This works best
with this age-group if another adult is willing to
be the character and the teacher models the
questions first)
 Write messages to Jesus. Attach these to a
balloon and, as part of a prayer experience,
take the balloon outside and allow it to rise. (if
this isn’t feasible, adapt the activity for the
school hall/classroom)
Year 3 and 4

Year 5 and 6

Discuss in pairs what is happening in the
picture.
Possible Curriculum Directory links:
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jacopo-diRevelation – to hear, read and explore
cione-and-workshop-the-ascension-upper-tier-panel
the Gospel accounts of key events in the
 Read or listen to (Acts 1: 6-11)
life of Jesus
 Look carefully again at the picture. Who do
Life in Christ – the Gospel message
they think are the people in the picture? Why?
that Jesus brings fullness of life for all
Look again at the Scripture text. Who are the
people
people mentioned?
 Discuss in pairs: what do they think the
disciples were expecting Jesus would do after
the Resurrection and what do they think this
tells us about Jesus? The disciples didn’t
always understand Jesus’ message at first.
What do we think was Jesus’ message?
Possible Curriculum Directory links:
Revelation – to hear, read and explore
the Gospel accounts of key events in the
life of Jesus
Celebration – the Church’s celebration
of significant events in the life of Jesus
Life in Christ – the Gospel message
that Jesus brings fullness of life for all
people



Look at the picture, using the zoom to study
the details.
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jac
opo-di-cione-and-workshop-the-ascensionupper-tier-panel
In pairs discuss which details do they think
are true to the scripture story and which are
the artist’s invention? Make notes, perhaps on
small white boards.
Read (Acts 1: 6-11) and check with the notes
that they have made. Compare with (Luke
24:50-53)
Look at how Jacopo di Cione has represented


High ability Year 6 – extension
activities
Possible Curriculum Directory links:
Revelation – to hear, read and explore
the Gospel accounts of key events in the
life of Jesus
- hear, read and explore the
Gospel accounts of the coming of
the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and
the transformation of the disciples
Celebration – the Church’s celebration
of significant events in the life of Jesus
Life in Christ – the Gospel message
that Jesus brings fullness of life for all
people
- the values of sharing, showing
respect and care for others




heaven. Compare with the painting by Michel
Sittow. Which do they prefer? Why? Where do
they think heaven is?
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/mic
hel-sittow-the-ascension
Discuss: What do Christians believe about the
Ascension Story?
Write a pamphlet to illustrate what Catholics
believe about this story, its importance in the
Liturgical Year and how we celebrate The
Ascension in the Church today.
Look at two Scripture accounts of the
Ascension (Acts 1: 6-11; Luke 24:50-53)
Discuss how this story anticipates Pentecost.
What do they think Jesus wanted the disciples
to do?
Working in pairs, make a simple timeline to
show how the disciples gradually began to
understand Jesus’ message and the role of the
Holy Spirit (e.g. Jesus’ sayings and actions
during his life time, Ascension and Pentecost
stories, other examples from Acts or Paul’s
letters etc.)
How is this continued today? (e.g. liturgies of
the Church to celebrate events in Jesus’ life;
The Church’s teaching on responsibility to care
for all people lived out through the work of
charities, individual lives etc.)
Use this research to write an account to
explain how people gradually understood
Jesus’ message. Include examples from
Scripture and the Church’s Tradition and/or
human experience.