Giotto
Madonna and Child
Image courtesy of
The National Gallery of Art, U.S.A
Geographic Center:
Italy
Background:
The art of the Gothic era was art produced primary for practical uses. The
work was of religious subjects for religious purposes, often used as visual
aids for the church. Historically, this was the time of the Black Death. The
population in Europe decreased so rapidly that by the end of the epidemic,
half of the European population had disappeared. The Black Death was also
the subject of art.
Effect on Faces and Figures:
The gothic era marks a clear shift from classical works of the Byzantine Empire
and was responsible for a shift towards realism. The chiaroscuro effect, which
uses shades to give a good sense of three-dimensional space, was used to enhance
faces and figures. The folds in the clothing became more convincing. It was
during this period that the halo around the heads of religious icons was no
longer used.
Famous Artists:
Jan Van Eyck, Giotto
