Artists Cimabue and Giotto created altarpiece fresco paintings of the Virgin and Child that both compare yet contrast in technique with one another. Cimabue’s take on the subject, Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Prophets (1280-90), visualized the features of the elongated figures popularized during the Middle Age. Another example of his comparison to Giotto’s fresco altarpiece, Madonna Enthroned (1310), is the features of the Virgin Mary.
In the center of Cimabue’s altarpiece, the Virgin Mary’s facial expression is softer and tilted toward Christ. Whereas Giotto’s altarpiece, created only a few decades later, depicts a more stoic facial expression. “The hierarchically scaled figure of Mary holds the infant Jesus in her lap. Looking out at the viewer while gesturing toward her son as the path to salvation, she adopts a formula popular in Byzantine iconography since at least the sixth century.” (Stokstad. 2017) The adoption of Byzantine influence into the late Middle Age artist culture emits a new twist on the Gothic principles.
This hierarchy of design follows the angles in the Cimabue’s altarpiece as well. Having heads tilting toward Christ and in contrast, the Angles in Giotto’s painting fully face the Virgin Mary and Christ. These subtle features are noticeably different from the Gothic era change and influence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Among the placements of figures, faces, and expressions, the coloring of the altarpieces has changed over the decades. For example, Giotto’s artwork emits more gold and rich dark colors. In Cimabue’s altarpiece, the colors are softer and lighter, having less gold or rich greens and blues.
Regarding Scripture, artists during the Gothic period and throughout history all had their vision of the Virgin Mary and Christ. Artists of the 14th century visualized the Virgin Mary and Christ to fit their culture and style rather than creating a realistic approach. This idea of embracing the Middle Age culture in religious altarpieces and paintings shows the importance of their desire for faith. However, this Gothic and Middle Age technique does not truly depict God’s face; This allowed artists like Cimabue and Giotto to embrace their culture and change through their artwork. “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:18, ESV Bible). Longing to visualize God, (the Son) Jesus, and the Virgin Mary themed throughout Cimabue, and Giotto’s fresco altarpieces show the change in style during the early 14th century while still embracing traditional Medieval symbolism.
Hannah J. Pasquini © 2022
References:
The Bible: English Standard Bible (ESV) John 1:18
Stokstad, Marilyn, and Michael W. Cothren. Art History, Volume 1. Available from: Liberty University Online Bookshelf, (6th Edition). Pearson Education (US), 2017.
