Stock Photosfrom Catay/Shutterstock
TheItalian Renaissanceis regarded as one of the most vibrant periods in western art history.
Artists likeLeonardo da VinciandMichelangelocreated highly realistic works that emphasized a renewed interest in anatomy and proportion.
His naturalistic paintings set the foundation for successors likeBotticelliand Michelangelo.
Stock Photosfrom Catay/Shutterstock
Here, we explore Giotto’s mythic life and the development of his naturalist style.
The story goes that one day, the esteemed Byzantine-style painterCimabuespotted Giotto’s talent and offered him anapprenticeship.
The Renaissance historian Vasari writes many allegorical examples of Giotto’sprodigious talent.
Stock Photosfrom EQRoy/Shutterstock
Cimabue, Maesta of Santa Trinita, c. 1280-90.
He arranged the cycle into 3 tiers on the walls and placed the painting ofThe Last Judgementon the counterfacade.
Instead,he drew from lifeimbuing his characters with emotion and realism.
Cimabue, “Maesta of Santa Trinita,” c. 1280-90. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons [Public Domain])
Even the figures' clothes have naturalistic drapery.
36 Scenes from the Life of Christ: 20.
Lamentation (The Mourning of Christ), c. 1304-1306.
Stock Photosfrom EQRoy/Shutterstock
In Naples, Giotto was made first court painter by King Robert with a yearly pension.
Eventually, however, Giotto returned to Florence, where he worked until his death in January of 1337.
Giotto, Ognissanti Madonna, 1310.
Giotto, “No. 36 Scenes from the Life of Christ: 20. Lamentation (The Mourning of Christ),” c. 1304-1306. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons [Public Domain])
Eventually, these humanist interests culminated in theRenaissance, where Giotto’s name became legend.
Domenico di Michelino, Dante and the Divine Comedy, 1465.
(Photo: Wikimedia Commons [Public Domain])
Related Articles:
Who Is Titian?
Giotto, “Ognissanti Madonna,” 1310. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons [Public Domain])
Domenico di Michelino, “Dante and the Divine Comedy,” 1465. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons [Public Domain])
