Giotto Exhibit in Rome
The One the Only Giotto is having a well awaited exhibit in Rome. Giotto is known for many of his groundbreaking pieces of Renaissance art. It opened on March 6th and presiding over the celebration was the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. Many others praised the plethora and caliber of work collected for the show.
"The exhibition is a once-in-a-century event offering a multi-faceted overview of a crucial period in the history of European art." commented Florence's Art Superintendent Cristina Acidini.
Florence was where Giotto unified the art world, from the Byzantine to the Renaissance. The exhibition features wooden sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, goldwork and paintings by a variety of famous figures in art from the 1300s. Such as Simone Martini, Giovanni Pisano and Arnolfo di Cambio.
Giotto di Bondone (c.1267-1337) was a very mysterious man. Whom created a genre when the dominating Byzantine era was alive and thriving. He drew life scenes from his life, travels and training. He was born in Tuscany, studied with Cimabue, one of the greatest painters of his time and completed the widely known decoration of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua around 1305. Giotto background really is unknown. Many of his pieces are said to be guessed in when they were completed. We don't know his exact birthdate or where in Tuscany. Seems to be a rather interesting man when you are forced to guess where he came from. Giotto and Cimabue are said to have been partner in crime when creating the marvelous frescoes inside the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. Although there is no proof, it is certain Cimabue didn't complete the Upper Church, so it must have been Giotto. A fact about Giotto, he was the head architect of the campanile in Florence in 1334. Alas he never got to finish it.
Giotto died in January 1337. He was first said to be buried in Santa Maria del Fiore in Florencr, but others agrue that he was buried under the Church of Santa Reparta. His remains were found(or so they think) in the 1970s when bones were excavated of a very short figured man, who may have suffered from congential dwarfism. Italian researchers were convinced it was the remains of the famous Giotto and thus out of respect they buried the bones next to Brunelleschi's grave with great honor. In true Italian style, the skeptics are still out there.
This once-in-a-century show entitled Giotto e Le Trecento runs in Rome's Vittoriano until June 29th. Don't miss it!!
I hope I can make it there!
a presto amici!
"The exhibition is a once-in-a-century event offering a multi-faceted overview of a crucial period in the history of European art." commented Florence's Art Superintendent Cristina Acidini.
Florence was where Giotto unified the art world, from the Byzantine to the Renaissance. The exhibition features wooden sculptures, illuminated manuscripts, goldwork and paintings by a variety of famous figures in art from the 1300s. Such as Simone Martini, Giovanni Pisano and Arnolfo di Cambio.
Giotto di Bondone (c.1267-1337) was a very mysterious man. Whom created a genre when the dominating Byzantine era was alive and thriving. He drew life scenes from his life, travels and training. He was born in Tuscany, studied with Cimabue, one of the greatest painters of his time and completed the widely known decoration of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua around 1305. Giotto background really is unknown. Many of his pieces are said to be guessed in when they were completed. We don't know his exact birthdate or where in Tuscany. Seems to be a rather interesting man when you are forced to guess where he came from. Giotto and Cimabue are said to have been partner in crime when creating the marvelous frescoes inside the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. Although there is no proof, it is certain Cimabue didn't complete the Upper Church, so it must have been Giotto. A fact about Giotto, he was the head architect of the campanile in Florence in 1334. Alas he never got to finish it.
Giotto died in January 1337. He was first said to be buried in Santa Maria del Fiore in Florencr, but others agrue that he was buried under the Church of Santa Reparta. His remains were found(or so they think) in the 1970s when bones were excavated of a very short figured man, who may have suffered from congential dwarfism. Italian researchers were convinced it was the remains of the famous Giotto and thus out of respect they buried the bones next to Brunelleschi's grave with great honor. In true Italian style, the skeptics are still out there.
This once-in-a-century show entitled Giotto e Le Trecento runs in Rome's Vittoriano until June 29th. Don't miss it!!
I hope I can make it there!
a presto amici!
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