Artists

Giotto di Bondone

Giotto di Bondone

(c. 1266 - 1337)
Born: Colle di Vespignano, Italy
Style: Early Renaissance
Famous Works:
  • Arena Chapel frescoes (c. 1305)
  • The Lamentation (1305-06)
  • Madonna Enthroned (1308-11)
Due to a lack of recorded history, there is much controversy surrounding the life and work of Giotto di Bondone. It is known that Giotto was one of the first artists in the late Middle Ages to place tremendous importance on painting from life. Giotto developed the ability to depict people with strikingly accurate expressions, in natural poses. Giotto is also known for creating unity between his subjects and their settings, a skill that had not been of high priority in the art of the Middle Ages. The details of his training and childhood are unclear, however, sixteenth century art historian Giorgio Vasari wrote that Cimabue discovered Giotto. The legend says that Giotto was a simple herder, drawing remarkably lifelike sheep on the rocks as he worked, and Cimabue was so impressed that he took the boy as his apprentice. Because of this connection, it is possible that Giotto was a part of the fresco cycle project in Assisi that Cimabue is credited with completing. Certainly Giotto absorbed the lessons Cimabue's art had to offer, and remarkably broke with the Gothic tradition, making art history in the meantime. His masterpiece is the fresco cycle in the Arena Chapel in Padua. Giotto was well established as a master of Tuscany when he received this commission. In these panels Giotto depicted the life of the Virgin, and imbued the space with unprecedented realism. Of note is the accuracy of the weight and motion in figures. Giotto's method was groundbreaking, as no one before had portrayed such feeling and realism into a two-dimensional medium, and his new style became the cornerstone of the Italian Renaissance.
Feeling inspired? Try out these fine products…

From $2.79

Matte Metallics Paint

by DecoArt

Inexpensive way to create sophisticated, elegant pieces

At Least 29% Off

Waterbrush

by Caran d'Ache

Portable & refillable, ideal for travel

Up to 35% Off

Up to 47% Off

Georgian Oil Colours

by Daler-Rowney

High pigment loads, brilliant colors!

Up to 30% Off

Studio Collection Pencil Sets

by Winsor & Newton

High-quality, smooth and responsive pencil sets

From $0.98

Col-Erase Colored Pencils (Each)

by Prismacolor

THE erasable colored pencil!
Best Seller
Latest Product Reviews
I have used several other brands of 4B,6B, and 8B woodless graphite pencils and this brand is far superior to the others that I have used. I teach drawing to about 700 to 1000 elementary school children each year. I use these pencils exclusively! We all love them! They are super-smugable and with my many art lessons on YouTube : "art with Jim Freeheart" I show Kids and adults how to draw Waves, Clouds and animals etc. I appreciate that you carry this wonderful quality product! Jim
- Jim Freeheart in Maui, Hawaii
I can’t imagine using any other brand of paint. This is very highly pigmented and the minimal amount of binder. Since I prefer plein air, this is perfect for me. And the number of single-pigment paints are pretty amazing. Michigan has been pretty wet this year so far so the paints haven’t dried out as much as they normally would. You can’t go wrong with this brand.
- Dayna W. in Jackson, Michigan
I have been using the plastic bottle and metal tips for years on gourds for a fine line and perfect dots. I am conducting a class and need more bottles/tips so there will be no waiting to share.
- Sally in Idaho
Free Download for Kids

Download free coloring book pages Download FREE coloring
book pages to color at
home or school.

View Pages »