14th c. Early Renaissance

The human heart is as a frail craft on which we wish to reach the stars. - Giotto di Bondone

Key Ideas

Characteristics of Florentine Painting

This time period is in between Medieval and High Renaissance.
Artists receive more recognition and become important historical figure and names are recorded.
Focused on 3 ideals: humanism, secularism, and individualism
Greater focus on the natural world rather than the hereafter - Giotto launched the Italian Renaissance by painting people who appeared 3 dimensional rather than flas
New intellectual ideals gained focus, especially human experience, manners, and politics (known as the "humane letters" = humanism)
The Pisani family rejuvenates classical artistic styles.

History

Humanism (starts as a literary movement in that writers concerned themselves with secular issues). In Northern Europe, Humanism "pagan" Humanism is rejected in favor of a blend of religion and classical literature.
Petrarch: Considered the first "modern" writer, he wrote sonnets in Italian, other works in Latin.
Isabelle d'Este (1474-1539) was married to Giovanni Gonzaga, she was an outstanding diplomat and patron of learning. She turned Mantua into the center of learning and thought. Also, an important female patron of the arts.

Large scale panels that stand on their own (freeing from the wall)
Usually fresco or the use of tempera
Cimabue (artist) is influenced by the Byzantine works referred to as maniera greca.
Giotto (artist) moved away from tradition and towards reality that anchored figures to ground lines. Figures are often depicted.

Characteristics of Sienese Painting

More decorative style and more reminiscent of N. European art.
Figures are thinner, elegant, and courtly.
Drapery is less defined, and is more flowing like ripples.
Imitates marble patterning on thrones or pavements
Figures are more in proportion to each other vs. Hierarchal ordering.
Italian altarpieces reflect Gothic Cathedrals

Additional Resources

YouTube video: Early Renaissance
YouTube video: Brunelleschi's Dome
YouTube video: Cimbue's Madonna
Enthroned
YouTube video: Brunelleschi's experiment
National Geographic article about the Brunelleschi's dome- a must read.

Khan Academy's Smarthistory - LOTS of information on individual artworks about Florentine and Sienese artworks

Vocabulary

Artwork List

campanile
Lamentation
Maniera greca
tempera
trecento

Cimabue, Madonna Enthroned with Saints and Prophets
Giotto, Madonna Enthroned
Martini, Annunciation
Florence Cathedral
Giotto, The Lamentation
Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel
Giotto, Last Judgment