Chapter 14 - 14th Century Italy

Question 1

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 1

Madonna Enthroned by Giotto di Bondone. 1310. Painting in Byzantine style.

1. Gothic characteristics seen in pointed throne
2. Madonna’s body is asserted (breasts can be seen pushing up against undergarments) and weightly - revived classical naturalism.
3. Statuesqe figures projecting into light give the illusion tat they would throw shadows

** Marks the end of medeival painting in Italy and the beginning of naturalistic approaches

Question 2

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 2

Peaceful Country by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. 1338. Painting.

1. Bird’s eye view showing different seasons
2. One of the first appearances of landscape in Western art
3. Figure showing security above hills on the left side unrolls scroll promising safety to those living under the rule of the law

Question 3

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 3

Lamentation Panel from the Arena Chapel frescoes by Giotto di Bondone. 1305. Painting.

1. Depicts the death of Jesus
2. Steep slope leads the eyes towards the main focal point in the lower left corner.
3. Figures seen from the backside aid in visual placement of figures farther back - shading also gave figures volume with illumination of bodies and their shadows

Question 4

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 4

Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Prophets by Cimabue. 1280-1290. Painting using gold embellishments.

1. Reliance of Byzantine style can be seen by the use of gold embellishments. However, rather than using the gold as decoration, Cimabue used it to enhance 3D drapery of the image.
2. Throne appears as receding in space, overlapping bodies reinforce this concept.
3. Use of smaller figures than common

Question 5

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 5

Pulpit of Pisa by Nicola Pisano. 1259 - 1260. Marble carving.

1. Medieval traditions shown on trefoil (triple-curved) arches and lions supporting the columns.
2. Classical (Greco-Roman) elements shown on round arches (Roman architecture), large capitals with two rows of overlapping leaves crowning the columns, and large rectangular relief panels and large scale figures are similar to those found on Roman sarcophagi (coffins).
3. One panel shows the infancy of Christ - incorporates religion

Question 6

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 6

Peaceful City by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. 1338. Painting.

1. Depicted urban and rural effects of good government - panoramic view of Siena showing palaces, markets, towers, etc.
2. Dancing circle of women holding hands
3. City gate passes to the countryside beyond its walls (Peaceful Country)

Question 7

What is the name of the artist and title? What is the date of this piece? What medium did this artist use? What are 3 significant points about this piece of art?

Answer 7

Arena Chapel frescoes by Giotto di Bondone. 1305. Painting.

1. Panels depict the lives of the Virgin, her parents, and Jesus.
2. Pictorial expression of observations of the natural world

** moved from spiritual world to natural world

3. Biblical actors convey individual emotions, foreshortened (seen at an angle), and are modeled with light and shading in a classical manner