Ch. 14: Late Medieval Italy

Giotto Di Bondone's Madonna Enthroned (ca. 1310) presents one of the first paintings that transitioned into the age of the Renaissaince style of painting. The characters in Madonna Enthroned have substance, dimensionality, and bulk which give the illusion that the figures could have shadows. The picture does not appear flat as The Virgin Mary's shape of her breasts are given through her shirt. I like the painting as I can compare it to Cimabue's Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Prophets and see how Bondone's painting is more Renaissance-esque with it's substance.

 

Nicola Pisano's pulpit of the baptistery (ca 1260) features medieval and classical elements.

Some medieval parts include the trefoil arches and the lions supporting some of the columns. The large capitals with crowned columns are a Gothic variation of the Corinthian capital. However, the archesare round, and each of the large relief panels resembles Roman sculptures. I found it interesting that these classical and medieval elements were incorporated together into this one sculpture.