Gothic Art

What is this?

Palazzo Publico

City: Siena, Italy

Town hall, combines Gothic architecture with medieval

Key terms: Crenellated roof, Campanile (Bell tower)

What is this?

Title: Allegory of Good Government

Artist: Lorenzetti

Medium: Fresco

Function: created for the Palazzo Pubblico

Context: During this time, the city of Siena began valuing its civic identity and power.

Meaning: Represent the benefits of a government that values the common good using iconography like the figure of “Justice” seated on the left, “Wisdom” Who flies above her, and “Common Good” Who sits on the right

Title: Effects of good government in the city

Artist: Lorenzetti

Function: Created for a Palazzo Pubblico

Meaning: Shows the positive effect of good government on urban life, merchants and trade show the prosperity of the city

Effects of good government in the country

Artist: Lorenzetti

Function: Created for Palazzo Pubblico

Meaning: Shows prosperity in the country from good government. Merchants can travel in and out of the city, and the countryside is fertile.

Effects of bad Government

Artist: Lorenzetti

Function: Created for Palazzo Pubblico

Meaning: Uses Devilish imagery to depict figures such as tyranny who is seated in the middle. The city is destroyed.

Title: Pulpit

Artist: Pisano

Function: Made for Baptistery in Pisa

Meaning: Uses elements of Roman architecture and repurposes them for Christian art. Depicts story of Christ/Virgin Mary along with personifications of virtues

Title: The Annunciation

Artist: Pisano

Meaning: Shows different parts of the Virgin Mary’s life. She is shown in Hierarchical scale, and shows roman influence in her clothes.

Title: Maesta (Main frontal panel)

Artist: Buoninsegna

Location: Pisa, Italy 1260

Function: Part of Maesta which was an altarpiece made for a Siena Catherdral

Meaning: Shows the Virgin Mary holding Jesus, and the gold background shows the byzantine influence. Mary is shown in Hierarchical Scale

Title: Triumphial Entry (Maesta)

Artist: Buoninsegna

Meaning: Christ is shown with his disciples, and is welcomed into the city of Siena.

Madonna and Child enthroned with angels and prophets

Artist: Cimabue

Function: Altarpiece made for Church in Florence, Italy

Meaning: Gold streaks indicating form reference byzantine art

Title: Madonna and Child enthroned

Artist: Giotto

Analysis: Uses more natural lighting to indicate volume, shows the gradual usage of naturalistic elements that began during this time

Title: Frescos from the Arena Chapel

Artist: Giotto

Function: Made for the Arena Chapel in Padua, Italy

Analysis: The Frescoes show scenes from the life of Jesus Christ as well as representations of the seven Virtues/Vices in grisaille along the bottom

Title: Joachim and Anna meeting at the Golden Gate

Artist: Giotto

Analysis: Shows the Story of how the Virgin Mary was conceived. Others mock/ are disgusted by them

Title: The Annunciation

Artist: Simone Martini + Lippo Memmi

Function: Painted for Cathedral of Siena

Analysis: Added elements of naturalism depart from Byzantine art others were inspired by. Uses Gold leaf + Tempera