Cycle 1: Artist Study

Giotto di Bondone (1266-1337) 

In-Progress

Week 12:

Frescoes in the Cappella Scrovegni or Arena Chapel by Giotto di Bondone (1304-1306)- Padua, Italy [Image]

The frescoes in the Arena Chapel have always been considered as Giotto's first mature masterpiece, and at the same time as an important milestone in the development of western painting. The work was commissioned by Enrico Scrovegni of Padua, the ambitious son of the rich Reginaldo (whom Dante Alighieri consigned to hell in his "Divine Comedy"). Scrovegni purchased a large piece of land in 1300, in the area around the Roman amphitheatre (known as the Arena), on which to build a palace and a private chapel. Of these buildings, only the single-nave church remains. Constructed using clear, simple forms, it is referred to mostly as the "Arena Chapel" after its location, or as the "Scrovegni Chapel" after its donor.  Vaulted by a starry sky with the two centres of Christ and Mary, the Last Judgment in the west and the Annunciation in the east, witnessed by God, frame the nave of the church. 

More views of the chapel here.

Week 13:

The Nativity and Adoration by the Shepherds by Giotto di Bondone (1304-1306)- Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy [Image]

Week 14:

The Flight into Egypt by Giotto di Bondone (1304–1306)- Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy {Image}

Giotto would choose this theme for a famous series of frescoes that were to appear within the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. The Flight into Egypt would become one of the most memorable artworks to be included here, and he added over fifty artworks in total. This particular theme comes from the Life of Christ, and he would carefully select twenty four different Bible stories to summarise the key events in his life. He would do the same for Mary as well, and then add some additional artworks that completed the interior of the chapel. 

Week 15:

Ognissanti Madonna, Enthroned Virgin and Child by Giotto di Bondone (~1310)- Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy

 {Image}

Week 16:

Navicella (“little ship") of St. Peter by Giotto di Bondone (~1300)- Old St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy {Image} *1628 copy of the original mosaic, now in the Vatican

The Navicella (literally "little ship") or Bark of St. Peter, was a large and famous mosaic by Giotto that occupied a large part of the wall above the entrance arcade, facing the main facade of the basilica across the courtyard. It depicted the version from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 14:24–32) of Christ walking on the water, the only one of the three gospel accounts where Saint Peter is summoned to join him. It was almost entirely destroyed during the construction of the new Saint Peter's Basilica in the 17th century, but fragments were preserved from the sides of the composition, and what is effectively a new work, incorporating some original fragments, was restored to a position at the centre of the portico of the new building in 1675.

Week 17:

Saint Francis Feeding the Birds by Giotto di Bondone (1297-1299)- Upper Basilica of the Basilica de San Francesco, Assisi, Italy {Image}

Week 18:

Scenes from the Life of Christ: Presentation of Christ at the Temple fresco by Giotto di Bondone (1304-1306)- Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy {Image}

Week 20:

The Last Judgement,  by Giotto di Bondone (~1305)- Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy {Image}

Week 20:

The Last Supper by Giotto di Bondone (~1305)- Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy {Image}