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Zuyimi Mirazo
Professor Diana Bennett
Art History 102
18 February 2012
Compare and Contrast Cimabue Madonna Enthroned and Giotto Madonna Enthroned
Both Cimabue and Giotto created a piece called Madonna Enthroned. Of course both of
these pieces were created in different time periods but they hold the same concept. They both
have the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus in her lap and also both are surrounded by angels. Let me
begin by explaining Cimabue piece of art followed by Giotto’s edition.
Cimabue Madonna Enthroned (1280-1290) was the first to break out of cartoon ideal. He
was the first to create images that were more realistic. “Cimabue also used the gold
embellishments common to Byzantine art for the folds of the Madonna’s Robe” (Kleiner). This
made it easier to see texture which brings a bit of realism to the artwork. Cimabue also used
layering with the angels to give some type of depth in the image. This image of Madonna
Enthroned also used steps to represent some type of depth in the image. Even though Cimabue
artwork was more in the medieval era with the Madonna Enthroned it was “the begging of a new
style the foundations of the future evolution of Florentine art” (“Uffizi Room 2• the 13th century
& Giotto). Ever since this artwork came out people have become more interested in capturing
the realism of a piece of artwork.
A couple of years later a student of Cimabue named Giotto came out with his
representation of Madonna Enthroned in the year 1310. Giotto completely out did his teacher
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when he came out with his version of Madonna Enthroned. Giotto also used depth with the
angels by stacking them together. This helped us as the viewer to see the artwork a bit better by
making the image seem as if it were going back to space. He also used steps to make Madonna
seem as if she was higher than everyone else. This image also has Madonna and baby Jesus in
the image. “Giotto’s Madonna Enthroned marks the end of medieval painting in Italy and the
beginning of a new naturalistic approach to art” (Kleiner).
Since these two images were made in different times of course there are going to be
several differences between the two. Let me begin with the angels in Giotto’s Madonna
Enthroned “look at the figures of the saints and angels. Although they may look pretty much the
same to modern eyes, notice the subtle differences and especially the various expressions and
emotions each exhibits while gazing intently at Madonna and child” (Giotto’s Madonna). Now
if you look at Cimabue image you can see that the angels are facing away from Madonna and
child and they also all seem to have the same expression. Unlike Giotto angels who show
emotion on the angels face. Another difference is “in Cimabue Christ have a small head and a
very thin body like the style in the middle ages. Giotto’s Christ is fat and plump like a baby
should be” (Owens). In Cimabue artwork the baby looks more like a toddler rather than a baby
what Giotto does is he makes the Jesus look more like a baby rather than a toddler which makes
his artwork seem for realistic. Finally between the two artworks you can see that Cimabue
artwork is more two dimensional while Giotto art work is more three dimensional. Also Giotto
used less gold in his artwork as suppose to Cimabue. Giotto also showed more of the Virgin
body with the robes as suppose to Cimabue. Cimabue hid the body which looks more like they
just put a blanket over the virgin. Although these are two magnificent piece of artwork that is
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made in different times they both represent the Virgin Mary and her son Jesus with angels
around.
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Works Cited
"Giotto's Madonna." Paula's Tour Talk. Web. 18 Feb. 2012.
Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner's Art through the Ages. 14th ed. Boston: Clark Baxter, 2005. Book D.
Ownes, Josh. "Comparing Giottos and Cimabues Madonna Enthroned - by Josh Owens Helium." Helium - Where Knowledge Rules. Web. 18 Feb. 2012.
"Uffizi Room 2 • The 13th Century and Giotto." Uffizi Tickets • Uffizi Gallery, Florence. Web.
18 Feb. 2012.