evanwalsh/gist:289380

## gistfile1.txt
Evan Walsh
Mr. Bolser
AP Art History
29 January 2010

Giotto di Bondone

	The man who may have started the Italian Renaissance was not born in Florence. He was born in Vespignano in 1267. However, this was close enough to Florence that he came to impact the area eventually.
	Proclaimed later as the “first genius” of the Italian Renaissance, he wasn’t always the famous artist. His father was a small-time farmer and Giotto (as he was commonly referred to) helped out around the farm. One theory says that the start of the great artist came about as Giotto was sketching on a flat rock a picture of his father’s sheep one day. Cimabue, a well-known painter at the time, happened to come upon Giotto in his travels. He was so impressed with the young boy’s skill, he took him on as his pupil. Another possibly story is that Giotto frequented Cimabue’s studio so much that he was eventually allowed to study painting underneath the famed painter.
	Regardless of his origins, he went on to complete one of his earliest works: frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis in the church of Assisi. In all of his art, he showed religious subjects, so this sacred start is within the realm of reason. He later went on to create many pieces for high-ranked clergymen and princes. These early frescoes were just a precursor to his series of 38 frescoes he painted for the Arena Chapel in Padua. In the series, the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary appeared.
	One of his highest appointments was that of performing work for Pope Boniface VIII. A messenger from the pope came to Giotto, seeking a sample of the artist’s work. Giotto dipped his brush in red paint and painted a perfectly round circle to satisfy the request. After assuring the messenger, it reached Pope Boniface VIII. Upon seeing this, the pope "instantly perceived that Giotto surpassed all other painters of his time."
	Giotto was highly regarded for many reasons. One key aspect of his art was his attention to detail and the realism he displayed in his paintings. He advanced the long-held notion of what realism and naturalism was, unintentionally or not. His compositions were minimal in nature, but the faces of his subjects could show complex emotions. He not only painted, though. He was also an architect of sorts after he was appointed the Florentine city architect and superintendent of public works. His main work was that of a bell tower. However, he never finished it, as he died. This in no way diminished the respect he received, though.
	His personal life was filled with intrigue as well.	One hears of many artists that were destitute and unrecognized throughout history. However, Giotto broke that mold, as he saved his money and died a rich man. Also, he had six children and remained married until his death. Also, he was known for his wit and practical joking amongst those he knew. He may have taken his work seriously, but he was not a boring man, by any account.
	This short man died in 1337 at the age of 70 years old. He redefined how painting was thought of, yet one would be hard pressed to find a person that recognized his name. His realism can be seen in many paintings of the time and his influence carried on after his death. A great man, he was.
	Evan Walsh
	Mr. Bolser
	AP Art History
	29 January 2010

	Giotto di Bondone

	The man who may have started the Italian Renaissance was not born in Florence. He was born in Vespignano in 1267. However, this was close enough to Florence that he came to impact the area eventually.
	Proclaimed later as the “first genius” of the Italian Renaissance, he wasn’t always the famous artist. His father was a small-time farmer and Giotto (as he was commonly referred to) helped out around the farm. One theory says that the start of the great artist came about as Giotto was sketching on a flat rock a picture of his father’s sheep one day. Cimabue, a well-known painter at the time, happened to come upon Giotto in his travels. He was so impressed with the young boy’s skill, he took him on as his pupil. Another possibly story is that Giotto frequented Cimabue’s studio so much that he was eventually allowed to study painting underneath the famed painter.
	Regardless of his origins, he went on to complete one of his earliest works: frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis in the church of Assisi. In all of his art, he showed religious subjects, so this sacred start is within the realm of reason. He later went on to create many pieces for high-ranked clergymen and princes. These early frescoes were just a precursor to his series of 38 frescoes he painted for the Arena Chapel in Padua. In the series, the life of Jesus and the Virgin Mary appeared.
	One of his highest appointments was that of performing work for Pope Boniface VIII. A messenger from the pope came to Giotto, seeking a sample of the artist’s work. Giotto dipped his brush in red paint and painted a perfectly round circle to satisfy the request. After assuring the messenger, it reached Pope Boniface VIII. Upon seeing this, the pope "instantly perceived that Giotto surpassed all other painters of his time."
	Giotto was highly regarded for many reasons. One key aspect of his art was his attention to detail and the realism he displayed in his paintings. He advanced the long-held notion of what realism and naturalism was, unintentionally or not. His compositions were minimal in nature, but the faces of his subjects could show complex emotions. He not only painted, though. He was also an architect of sorts after he was appointed the Florentine city architect and superintendent of public works. His main work was that of a bell tower. However, he never finished it, as he died. This in no way diminished the respect he received, though.
	His personal life was filled with intrigue as well. One hears of many artists that were destitute and unrecognized throughout history. However, Giotto broke that mold, as he saved his money and died a rich man. Also, he had six children and remained married until his death. Also, he was known for his wit and practical joking amongst those he knew. He may have taken his work seriously, but he was not a boring man, by any account.
	This short man died in 1337 at the age of 70 years old. He redefined how painting was thought of, yet one would be hard pressed to find a person that recognized his name. His realism can be seen in many paintings of the time and his influence carried on after his death. A great man, he was.