Italy 13-14th Century (Based on Gardner’s 7 and 8)
The Hero Steps Forth: Focus on Giotto (pp.205 in Gardner)
http://art.docuwat.ch/videos/sister-wendy/sister-wendys-story-of-painting-02-the-hero-stepsforth/?channel_id=2
Florence had Giotto
Art finally has a hero, a humble shepherd, Giotto. He was whisked from the fields and taken to Florence,
Italy and paid by a rich family to paint.
1. Why do you think Giotto was like television to an audience who previously only heard radio?
2. Explain three things that are remarkable about Giotto’s Lamentation? (Mary, angels, religion as
human)
3. Explain three things that are remarkable about Giotto’s Resurrection? (story, soldiers, Mary, no)
4. How powerful was Italy when Giotto was born?
Sienna had Duccio
5. To the Gothic artist what took first place?
6. Explain three things that are remarkable about Maesta (heaven, stillness, Sienna’s perspective)
7. Compare Duccio’s and Giotto’s interests (heavenly symbol vs. human story)
Good Government: Duccio’s student was Ambrogio Lorenzetti (Gardner pp. 209)
Lorenzetti painted these 3 frescoes in the Palazzo Pubblico: Bad Government, Effects of Good
Government, and Allegory of Good Government.
8. What is the central feature of the Allegory of Good Government?
9. What are the notable features in Peaceful City (from Effects of Good Government) (Gardner pp.
210)?
10. How does the geographical setting of the painting compare to the actual setting of Sienna?
Basilica di S. Francesco Assisi
11. What was the paradox about this basilica according to Sister Wendy?
Art inside the Basilica: Simone Martini
Martini stylistically brings together Giotto and his teacher, Duccio.
12. Explain three things that are remarkable about St. Martin Lays Down His Weapons? (war details,
supreme drama, emotions, color)
Bruges (1430)
Flemish were less idealistic
These artists painted on wood with oil
Jan Van Eyke—Master of Oil (Portrait of Arnolfini and His Bride)(Gardner pp. 222)
13. How are the bed, dress, dog, and oranges in the portrait used as status symbols?
14. What is the function of the mirror and signature of Van Eyke?
Roger van der Weyden--Last Judgement
15. According to van der Weyden, what will occur during the last judgement?
16. What gift does van der Weyden have that Van Eyke does not? Explain.
Bosch’s Temptation of St. Antony (Last Great Gothic Artist)
17. How is this painting a warning?
18. How do the Gothics see man versus nature?
And on to the Renaissance!