Medieval Printmaking Art Lesson | Relief Printing, Collagraph, Millefleurs Unit
 
Bring medieval art history and hands-on printmaking together with this engaging printmaking unit inspired by the beautiful millefleurs ("thousand flowers") tapestries of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Students learn about historical pattern design while creating their own repeating prints using either collagraph printing (grades 4–8) or relief printing/carving (grades 9–12). This project is one of our favorites and the came out stunning! Also one of of our student favorites!
 
What's Included:
Complete teacher lesson guide with objectives, materials, lesson sequence, assessment ideas, discussion questions, and teaching tips
Introduction to medieval millefleurs tapestries and decorative pattern design
Student reading pages featuring:
Millefleurs in Medieval Art
Printmaking: Creating Repeated Patterns
The Unicorn in Captivity
The Lady and the Unicorn
The Falcon Hunt
Medieval color palettes and natural pigments
Illuminated manuscript connections
Student Pattern Planning Sheet with six design sketch boxes and artist reflection questions before working on large scale paper 
Medieval motif inspiration page featuring dozens of printable historical design ideas
Step-by-step visual guides for Collagraph Printing and Relief Printing / Eraser Carving
Medieval Pattern Hunt worksheet using The Unicorn in Captivity
Full illustrated answer key for the scavenger hunt, Color Hunt and Pattern Hunt activities
Reflection questions and higher-level art analysis prompts
Real student examples and classroom printmaking inspiration
Elementary, middle school, and high school adaptations
 
Why You'll Love It:
Combines art history with a meaningful studio project instead of teaching them separately.
Gives students authentic historical inspiration while encouraging original design.
Includes options for both collagraph printing and relief printing, making it flexible for multiple grade levels.
Helps students understand: Pattern, Repetition, Rhythm, Balance, positive and negative space, Printmaking processes, Medieval and Renaissance art history
Includes planning pages that help students develop stronger designs before printing.
The visual examples, teacher notes, and answer keys make lesson preparation simple.
Encourages observation, craftsmanship, creative problem solving, and historical connections while students create artwork they are proud of.