Precursors of the Reinessance
From the mid-13th to 14th century the interaction of the Gothic, Byzantine, and antique Roman art, in the work of many outstanding individuals , created a recognizably national culture in Italy (Barasch 14). In his frescoes and panel paintings, Giotto di Bondone revolutionized Italian art, developing a naturalism and drama that marks the first signs of the Renaissance (Marx). Though many artists were influenced by Giotto, such as Bernardo Daddi, his advances were not fully developed for a century. At the same time, during the first half of the century, Simone Martini was able to revolutionize the style of Siena, which was a blend of Byzantine and International Gothic (Paccagnini 8). After the Black Death of the mid-14th century, which brought about a deepening of religious feeling, it was the International Gothic style of Siena and Lombardy that gained ascendancy over the more monumental, Giotto-inspired, styles of Tuscany like the work of Orcagna (Norman 12). Outstanding as a painter, sculptor, and architect, Giotto was recognized as the first genius of art in the Italian Renaissance. Giotto di Bondone was born about 1266 in the village of Vespignano, near Florence. His father was a small landed farmer (Marx). Cimabue, a well-known Florentine painter, discovered Giotto 's talents. Cimabue saw the 12 year old boy sketching one of his father 's sheep on a flat rock and was so impressed with his talent that he persuaded the father to let Giotto become his pupil (Barter26). Modern critics also see the influence of the Roman school exemplified by Pietro Cavallini and of the sculptors Nicola and Giovanni Pisano (Marx). Whatever his training, it is certain that Giotto broke with the formulas of Byzantine painting and gave new life to the art of painting in Italy (Eimerl 9). Giotto designed a great number of works, many of which have disappeared. It is thought that he first participated in the decoration of the Upper Church at Assisi (Tintori 10). Scenes from
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