Art 109

1. Visual Analysis
Artist: Unknown
Title: Enthroned Madonna and Child
Date: 13th century
Medium: tempera on panel
Collection: National Gallery of Art
URL:
http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/
features/slideshows/byzantine-artand-painting-in-italy-during-the1200s-and-1300s.html#
THESIS: I found this painting on the
National Gallery website, and I think
it exemplifies both the Italo-Byzantine
and Proto-Renaissance styles of
painting.

2. The Italo-Byzantine
characteristics include
the gold background,
and the unrealistic sense
of space
The Virgin’s face
looks like a typical
Byzantine icon with
her long thin nose,
almond shaped eyes,
and tiny mouth
There is also very little
modeling with light and
shade: the Virgin's robes
are defined by sharp
gold linear patterns
The proportions of
the figures are very
unrealistic: they are
tall, slender, and
elongated

3. But there is also the
beginning of an interest
in representing the
Virgin more
naturalistically, which
makes this work ProtoRenaissance
The diagonal lines of the
throne create a
rudimentary sense of
depth
the Virgin's knees
project outward
from the picture,
making her seem
more threedimensional and
physically real
There is also some
modeling with light
and shade on the
Virgin's face, as well
as on the Christ
Child's face

4. The painting reminds me
of Cimabue's Santa
Trinita Madonna, and
seems to have a similar
blend of old and new.
Cimabue, Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Prophets, c. 12801290