Giotto
Giotto a pre-renaissance artist and architect, was born 20 miles North of Florence Italy in the valley of the Mugello. It was described by his admirer John Ruskin as, a Lonely landscape. There were rugged mountains, rough ground and olive trees. There were no gardens or lush landscape's for Giotto to use as a reference for his art work. Giotto was supposedly born around the year 1267. This is not factual but a written chronicle said that he died in 1337 at the age of about 70. Even Giotto's birthplace is up for questioning, supposedly he also grew up in Vespignano. I would just conclude he was born in Italy. Giotto was the son of a farmer. So naturally Giotto grew up like any boy from the country doing chores and working hard. But one day while doing his chores one of the famous painters of the day, Cimabue spotted him. Giotto was spotted drawing the sheep of the fields, and to his surprise they were ridiculously realistic to the actual sheep themselves. So from then on Giotto's door to the world of art was unlocked. A 16th century biographer of artists Giorgio Vasari described Giotto as being a quick minded boy. So not surprising, Cimabue asked Giotto to join him on his trip and stay with him. Cimabue got permi
Giotto worked on some decorative motifs that are pretty fascinating. They were episodes corresponding to the old Testament that lead to the new Testament. There are fourteen all together the first is Prudence. It is a three quarter figure of a women seated at a desk. Their holding a convex mirror, " possibly symbolizing preconceived ideas which hinder a proper interpretation of events or else representing an attribute of the occult sciences."---Martindale p.106 ssion from Giotto's father and they were on their way. (This is not completely factual but what is from this long ago. All the stories pretty much say Cimabue found him.) Giotto always portrayed his figures as very earthly and mortal. This was a change from the usual god like and perfect human forms that the Greeks an Romans did. In contrast Giotto's figures compared to those of Leonardo or Michelangelo are flat paper cut outs with drab colors. But he did come before them, so he paved the way for artists like them or at least gave a short cut. Giotto used his negative space in his pictures wisely also. Where as most artists of that time left their figures floating in the air or stacked like pieces of wood, Giotto used light and dark to compensate the negative space. Perspective was not worked out at this time either so Giotto was ahead of the game there too. His technical skills were excellent. So putting all of his skills together he was bound to be famous. Another interesting thing, word has it he was a very clever story teller. Giotto took part in the restoration of Florence, he designed a crucifix nearly 19 feet high. The design went with the styles of that time era but at the same time their was some subtle differences. The crucifix is not just a big wooden cross it is has rectangles at each point and a trapezoid bottom edge. On both sides of the arms there is a small picture of mary and one of St. John. Whats so interesting about this picture though is that it is so emotional especially for this time period. Most art work (from what I've noticed) is very stagnet. It gives me a very unemotional detached feeling. And I find that strange for Religious pieces especially because along with spiritualality comes emotion. I dont understand how you can convey a religious feeling by being so unemotional. But this time period was right before the Renaissance which was a very "dead" and "repressed" time period. So this is why I think Giotto is so interessting. One of Giottos most famous works, the Last judgement is a clear example of his technical and emotional portrayal or religion. The top of the mural shows 2 angels opening some curtains ( they are rolling back the gates of heaven to reveal paradise) then it shows on oppo
Some common words found in the essay are:
St Francis, Perspective Giotto, Descriptions Giotto's, John Whats, Italy Giotto, Ruskin Lonely, Leonardo Michelangelo, Giotto Cimabue, Rome Giotto, Cimabue Giotto, change usual, admire people, giotto quick, wooden shield, doing chores, negative space,
Approximate Word count = 1846
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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