preview

Madonna And Child Enthroned Analysis Essay

Better Essays

Alex Genatt
ARH132: Visual Art Analysis

Lippo Vanni’s “Madonna and child Enthroned” (1343)

When the Roman Empire collapsed, Gothicism was born. While Gothic art was first characterized as Romanesque art, Gothic art soon came to be its own form of art and era during the Middle Ages. Gothic art was a new combination of sculpture, painting, architecture and art. In its truest form, Gothicism is illustrated in Lippo Vanni’s 1343 painting “Madonna and Child Enthroned.” Vanni’s work is a symbol of the transitioning time period between the Greco-Roman times and the rejuvenation of the art world. There are several historical, economic, and cultural events that caused the people of this time to look at life in a new way, and thus, art to be …show more content…

Throughout the Gothic and Renaissance period, there were many other famous painters and sculptors that have created Madonna images. For example, Giotto’s 1300 work, “Madonna Enthroned” has many similarities to Vanni’s work. The use of the golden colored background is used to draw the viewer’s attention and bring a sense of religion, such as seen in Vanni’s work. The composition is also similar to Vanni’s work in the sense that the main, and most important figures are the largest and most prominent and the perspective is linear.
However, this work differs from Vanni in both complexity and presentation. Giotto uses light and shadow, as well as more continuously moving lines in order to present elements more naturally. For example, the drapes in the illustration seem to fall due to the naturally occurring elements of gravity, making the painting more realistic. Furthering the notion of natural elements, Giotto’s figures have imperfect facial features. Another difference between the two works is the presence of depth, seen with the steps that lead to the

Get Access