March 30, 2009 - Art History defines the artist Giotto di Bondone as the first authentic Italian artist, the quintessential artist of the Middle Ages and one of the fathers of the Renaissance.

That’s why Rome is hosting a very ambitious exhibition to commemorate Giotto through some of his best works of art.  

Giotto di Bondone was perhaps one of the first Italian artists of the 14th century to break with the patterns of the Byzantine art and open the door to the Renaissance. It’s seen in some of his works, such as the ones of the Madonna with the baby Jesus, that show the natural state of people.  

Cecilia
Visitor
The representation of emotion is extremely realistic, the expression of the mother in particular, the position of the head, as well as the lips and the dimples of the child are extremely realistic, the whole painting gives a great sensation of happiness and joy.

The exhibition features works from various museums, like this painting from the North Caroline Museum in the United States in which Christ blesses John the Evangelist, the Virgin, St. John the Baptist and St. Francis of Assisi.

The exhibition includes works by Italian artists of the period that followed Giotto’s style, like these paintings of the Virgin Mary and these wooden crucifixes.  

"Giotto and the 14th century" will be on display until June 29 at the Vittoriano Museum in Rome.

DG