Giotto Works in Padua

The Arena Chapel in Padua was completed in 1303, with Giotto, then considered the preeminent painter in Italy, being commissioned to paint it in 1306. The resulting fresco cycle, which details the history, birth, life, and death of Christ, is considered one of the greatest artworks ever created.

In the nineteenth century, John Ruskin played a key role in redefining art criticism through his meticulous attention to detail, engaging prose, and strong convictions about the subjects that were most important to him. His ekphrastic writing provided readers with a way to engage with great art even if they couldn't see it in person. Despite having written extensively about Giotto in Stones of Venice and Modern Painters, Ruskin had never focused solely on the Arena Chapel until now. In his examination of the panels, Ruskin brings them to life by highlighting the many hidden details that showcase Giotto's unparalleled genius. According to Ruskin, "Giotto was...one of the greatest men who ever lived."

Originally published by the Arundel Society between 1853 and 1860, Giotto and His Works in Padua had long been out of print. This book remains Ruskin's most compelling collection of reflections on Giotto's masterpiece, which, in Ruskin's view, changed the course of art history. It serves as both an introduction for art history students and a thoughtful discussion on what it means to be a truly great artist, written by one of the most influential critics in the history of visual art.

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