Formal Analysis

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Recommended: Detailed formal analysis of art

Giotto Di Bondone was one of the earliest artists to pursue a naturalistic approach to representation based on observation, along with portraying the illusions of real life emotions and landscapes. Born in Florence in 1266, Giotto was a fresco painter who revolutionized painting techniques, breaking away from the rigid formation that had been the foundation of painting. It is said that he was discovered by Cimabue painting a lamb on a rock at his home in the countryside. Giotto’s first works reflected those of his mentor Cimabue stylistically; however he had already begun to exhibit original pictorial characteristics. Through the utilization of naturalistic observation, atmospheric perspective and expressive humanistic methods, he transitioned his painting from the Byzantine flatter style into a natural piece bursting fluently with life from the Renaissance. The array of frescos at the Scrovengi Chapel in Padua that depict Christ’s life, are considered some of his greatest pieces. Introducing this continuous art piece is The Nativity: Birth of Christ (1305-1306), which is a replic...

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