14th Century European Art Images

Question 1

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Title: Virgin and Child Enthroned
Location: Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
Time Period: c. 1280
Medium: Tempera and gold on wood panel
Artist: Cimabue

Answer 1

1. Cimabue was granted immense fame because Petrarch praised this painting
2. Vasari begins his history of art with Cimabue
   - Claimed that Cimabue would bring around a new era of high art
   - Cimabue indicates a shift in artistic styles (specifically moving towards the development of space)
3. Giotto Bondone was a protege to Cimabue
   - Continued to progress Cimabue’s style and techniques and move towards the renaissance
4. Moving away from the Greek style of antiquity, but towards Byzantine style and elevating it further

Question 2

Who was Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)? What’s his significance?

Answer 2

1. A famous poet
   - He wrote during the cusp of the Middles Ages and into the beginnings of the renaissance
2. For the first time since the fall of the Roman empire, he indicates a conscious knowledge of a historical break
   - He is aware that he exists in an era of new knowledge in comparison to ancient Rome

Question 3

Title: Virgin and Child Enthroned
Location: Florence
Time Period: 1305-1310
Medium: Tempera and gold on wood panel
Artist: Giotto di Bondone

Answer 3

1. Protege of Cimabue
2. Indicates a progression towards the renaissance
3. Aspects of Giotto’s that differ from Cimabue:
   a) All the figures are looking at Mary, emphasizing the worship of Mary
   b) Moving towards life-like figures
   c) Figures are pushing into the background (creating a type of three dimensionality)

Question 4

Title: Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel
Location: Padua
Time Period: 1305-1306
Medium: Fresco
Artist: Giotto di Bondone

Answer 4

1. Called the “arena chapel” because it is located at the fate of an ancient amphitheater
2. The interior mural is meant to emulate Roman triumphal paintings
3. One half of the interior depicts scenes from Jesus’ life, the other depicts scenes from Mary’s life
4. Actual sunlight is not let into the building and other conservation efforts are why the fresco’s have remained

Question 5

Title: Kiss of Judas
Location: Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel, Padua
Time Period: 1305
Medium: Fresco
Artist: Giotto di Bondone

Answer 5

1. While this is a story from Jesus’ life on earth, the use of halo’s indicate something heavenly
2. Gold leaf is used for the halo’s showing that Giotto is aware of the traditional use of gold leaf to insinuate holiness
   - Although he used gold leaf, he paints Judas’ robe gold to show off his abilities as an artist
3. Presence of three dimensionality by placing figures out of view in the background