5.13 Giotto

Without question, the most important painter of the age was Giotto di Bondone (ca. 1266-1337). In fact, many scholars view him as the father of Western pictorial painting. Giotto's fame not only lies in the fact that he made a very significant break from the Byzantine style, but also because he initiated a naturalistic approach to painting, which was based on observation rather than established forms.

Our first selection of Giotto's work is generally regarded as his finest panel painting. Entitled "Madonna Enthroned," this early fourteenth-century piece stands over ten feet tall and is over six feet wide. In this work, we see not just a volumetric Madonna, as in Cimabue's composition, but one that has true substance and solidity. With Giotto, the dimensionality of sculpture has been fully translated into painting.

To better understand this concept, let us compare three works (two of which we saw in the last lesson):

• Berlinghieri's "Saint Francis" - central figure has no volume and is completely flat.
• Cimabue's "Madonna Enthroned" - central figure has volume, but is not "solid" (as a statue would be).
• Giotto's "Madonna Enthroned" - central figure has volume and is completely solid.

Giotto - "Madonna Enthroned" (ca. early 14C) from the Web Gallery of Art

As impressive as Giotto's panel painting is, the true mastery of the artist is seen in his frescoes in the Arena Chapel in Padua. Within this structure are 38 scenes, each with decorated borders on three registers. The first level presents scenes from the life of the Madonna and her parents Anna and Joachim; the middle, Christ's life; and in the lower, Christ's Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection.

The most extensive composition, however, is found on the west wall and depicts the Last Judgment. Giotto also painted imitation marble veneer and various other vignettes. Moreover, as we can see from our image at the right, Giotto painted the chapel's barrel-vaulted ceiling a deep blue, symbolic of heaven. This same blue color was used as background in the wall panels as well, thus unifying the chapel's various compositions.

Giotto - Interior of the Arena Chapel, facing entrance (ca. early 14C) from the Web Gallery of Art

The composition also displays incredible artistic skill. Note how Giotto creates incredible illusionistic depth by adding to the background a large, diagonal rock (which also directs the eye of the viewer to the focal point of the piece: the dead Christ). Depth is also created by the cluster of mourners to the left, by John the Beloved's outstretched arms, and by the two mourners in the front whose backs are turned to the viewer.

As with Giotto's panel painting, the figures possess volume and solidity, the likes of which we have not seen since ancient times. The poses, expressions and movement of the figures are also engaging and naturalistic. Certainly, this is a far cry from the flat, frontal, static figure of Berlinghieri's Saint Francis in the Byzantine style.

Giotto - "Lamentation" from the Arena Chapel (ca. early 14C) from the Web Gallery of Art

Finally, let us mention Giotto's use of light and shade as well as balance and order, both of which would be studied intensively by Renaissance artists. First, pay particular attention to the two crouching figures in the front and the two bending figures in the center (one of whom is John the Beloved) to see how Giotto uses light and shade to create both depth and to give his figures volume. Secondly, realize that though this is a highly dramatic scene, there is nevertheless incredible order and balance (for example, note how Giotto paints a single, branching tree in the upper-right corner in order to balance, while not distracting from the figures in the lower left).

Take some time now and study the various panels from the Arena Chapel (look under Giotto) so you may become thoroughly familiar with Giotto's style, as any accomplished curator should be!

• Giotto - "Lamentation" (ca. early 14C)

Assignment 5.13 - Multiple Choice Practice

After you have reviewed your cumulative notes, complete the online assessment 5.13. Remember that your first submission should be done with a time constraint and without notes.