Cimabue

Question 1

‘Madonna Enthroned’

artist

Answer 1

‘Madonna Enthroned’

Question 2

‘Madonna Enthroned’

materials

Answer 2

• egg tempera on qood panel
• minerals suspended in egg media as paint
• method good for little lines, but doesnt blend well + dries quickly
• gold leaf glued to bg + burnished

Question 3

‘Madonna Enthroned’

theme/subject matter

Answer 3

• religious theme, Mary enthroned as Queen of Heaven surrounded by angels + prophets
• 12 feet tall
• used as an altar piece, hangs in Uffizi gallery in Florence

Question 4

‘Madonna Enthroned’

composition

Answer 4

• large figure of Mary sitting on large throne in centre, holding baby Jesus
• surrounded by angels. 4 on each side mirroring
• 4 old T. prophets holding scrolls at bottom in basement. Framed by 3 curved window openings
• symmetrical

Question 5

‘Madonna Enthroned’

treatment of figure

Answer 5

• figures close to life size
• Mary’s clothing decorative than realistic. Use of lines create patterns on dress
• distinct medieval/byzantine lements. Fingers + nose v. long, mouth v small. Not realistic representations, more an ideal heavenly form
• hands + face simplified do not look real despite shading
• no facial expressions used to convey emotions
• angels look same, no attempt to show individuality, stacked on top of each other

Question 6

‘Madonna Enthroned’

shading + light/colour

Answer 6

• light comes from 2 diff sources, doesn’t help create illusion of reality
• shading more decorative than real
• gold in bg has ornamental reflective feel (symbolic quality: reflect light of heavens)
• nowadays hard to appreciate as piece of art. Serve a purpose + follow rules for how religious painting should look
• use of gold leaf - decorative effect