ARTHIST 1AA3 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Giotto, Cimabue, Panel Painting

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Art History
• Course: ARTHIST 1AA3
• Professor: Kirstin Patterson

Document Summary

Panel painting, done on wood (poplar), (discuss tempera), over. Multiple planks of wood attached with cross beams, then sanded down, then covered in numerous layers of gesso, almost like a liquid plaster. Altarpiece, made for a religious setting and a specific church. Mary is held on a high status, cult of mary was prevalent during this era. Christ little man, analogy for wisdom, defies naturalism. Mary gesturing toward christ as path of salvation. Gilding in background as well as halo and highlights on drapery, create sense of divinity. There is a natural flow of drapery, figures given weight and mass, however, the figures are still stylized, see no signs of linear perspective yet (illogical special organization) Foreground and background situate the viewer (prophets in the foreground), during this time period started an interest in conveying relationship between divine and secular world. Discuss apprentices working on backdrop as well as preparing the wood.