Giotto the Painter: Volumes 1-3

Volume 1: Life Giotto (?1334) is the first European artist for whom a comprehensive account of his "life and work" can be constructed. The sources on Giotto's life, however, present a complex picture. On one hand, there are biographical narratives dating back to the mid-fourteenth century that served various ideological purposes such as patriotism, humanism, Renaissance ideology, and the cult of the artist. On the other hand, there is a wealth of documentary evidence from Giotto's own time that portrays him less as an artist and more as a determined bourgeois climbing the social ladder. This volume delves into this dual identity of Giotto, connecting it to the lifestyle of pre-modern artists.

Volume 2: Works The paintings analyzed and contextualized in this volume are those attributed to Giotto based on early written sources. These sources also assist in reconstructing the chronology of his works and artistic innovations within the media culture of the late 13th and early 14th centuries. While Giotto's intellectual foundation was in the realm of Florentine Dominicans, his artistic journey began in Rome under the influence of the Curia. His distinctive artistic vision emerged during his time in Padua. His clientele consisted mainly of influential church figures, ecclesiastical institutions, the King of Naples, and members of Italy's urban elite. The adoption and adaptation of his innovations by other painters, especially the Sienese school, compelled Giotto to explore new artistic approaches in his later years.

Volume 3: Survival Often hailed as the pioneer of modern painting, Giotto's legacy is reassessed in this volume through empirical analysis. It becomes evident that Giotto's influence goes beyond just his portrayal of nature; his art played a crucial role in developing visual languages that resonated with his audience's sensibilities. His innovative techniques enabled the nuanced depiction and communication of complex psychological, narrative, and allegorical themes without relying on textual explanations. This not only revolutionized European art but also contributed to the intellectual advancement of Western societies.

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