How Did Giotto Influence Renaissance Art

The Renaissance inspired many artist’s interest in the individual’s experience of the world, specifically Giotto and Piero della Francesca. Some key events that shaped the interest of the individual include the positive changes in the political, religious and social outlook in Italy, more freedom with how people thought and viewed the world and the desire for more realistic artworks. The turmoil in the Catholic Church, specifically the reformation in Germany, Rise of Franciscans and the Dominican orders, all helped form the foundations of Renaissance art. A lot of complicated circumstances that also marked the end of the Medieval period, and the beginning of a new era, the ‘rebirth’ of classical art.

“Renaissance art centres around man, his environment and his visual world.”(1) Artists began to represent more realistic humanly figures moving in deep space and were engaged in actual activities to help tell the story. This was in contrast with the Medieval idea of introducing symbolism that had to be interpreted before the viewer could actually understand the message that was being portrayed. This new focus of the ‘individual’ helped shape and inspire some of the greatest artworks and artists of the time.

Giotto:
As seen in “The Kiss of Judas” (Plate 2) Giotto changed the stiff, decorative style of Byzantine art, which was mostly biblical art, to something much more natural, life-like and emotional. His solemn, highly intellectual paintings reflect peaceful, but passionate dedication by capturing the individual’s experience. Giotto almost seemed to make it seem as though the motionless Byzantine figures had come to life, and appeared to move about in the restricted frame, the once flat figures had taken on a solidity and roundness kind of