Who is Cimabue?
Cimabue was a renowned and influential Italian painter and mosaicist whose work has largely influenced and shaped the Italo-Byzantine style.
Was Cimabue the last of the Italian Renaissance?
History has long regarded Cimabue as the last of an era that was overshadowed by the Italian Renaissance. As early as 1543, Vasari wrote of Cimabue, "Cimabue was, in one sense, the principal cause of the renewal of painting," with the qualification that, "Giotto truly eclipsed Cimabue's fame just as a great light eclipses a much smaller one."
What do you know about Cimabue's art?
Art historiographers from the 14th century to the present have recognized the art and career of Cimabue as the dividing line between the old and the new traditions in western European painting. From symbolism to sculpture, this quiz will put you in touch with your artistic side.
What did Cimabue do at the Basilica of Assisi?
Cimabue was subsequently commissioned to decorate the apse and the transept of the Upper Basilica of Assisi, in the same period of time that Roman artists were decorating the nave. The cycle he created there comprises scenes from the Gospels, the lives of the Virgin Mary, St Peter and St Paul.
What kind of artist was Cimabue?
PaintingCimabue / FormCimabue, original name Bencivieni di Pepo, modern Italian Benvenuto di Giuseppe, (born before 1251—died 1302), painter and mosaicist, the last great Italian artist in the Byzantine style, which had dominated early medieval painting in Italy.
Where is Cimabue from?
Florence, ItalyCimabue / Place of birthHe was born in Florence and died in Pisa. Hayden Maginnis speculates that he could have trained in Florence under masters who were culturally connected to Byzantine art.
What influenced Cimabue?
Cimabue was influenced by the works of his predecessors, Florentine painter Coppo di Marcovaldo and Pisan painter Giunta Pisano. The design of the Arezzo crucifix is closest to Pisano's crucifix commissioned by the Dominican order for their principal church in Bologna.
Was Cimabue a renaissance artist?
Cenni di Pepi, called Cimabue, is first recorded in Rome in 1272 where he is referred to as a 'Florentine painter'. Together with the younger Duccio and Giotto, Cimabue was one of the pioneering artists of the early Italian Renaissance.
Where is Cimabue buried?
Crucifix (Cimabue, Santa Croce)Crucifix by Cimabue, Santa Croce, prior to the 1966 flood damageYearc. 1265MediumDistemper on wood panelDimensions448 cm × 390 cm (176 in × 150 in)LocationBasilica di Santa Croce, Florence2 more rows
Who drew a perfect circle?
GiottoThe Pope hoped to hire a fresco artist and sent to Giotto a messenger, who asked for a competitive sample drawing. With just paper and a pen, Giotto flicked his wrist and drew a perfect circle.
What was Giotto's style?
Gothic artProto‑Ren...Italian Renaissan... paintingGiotto/Periods
Who is considered to be the grandfather of the Renaissance?
GiottoGiotto di BondoneBornGiotto di Bondone c. 1267 near Florence, Republic of Florence (present-day Italian Republic)DiedJanuary 8, 1337 (aged 69–70) Florence, Republic of FlorenceNationalityItalianKnown forPainting, fresco, architecture3 more rows
What was the relationship between Giotto and Cimabue?
Cimabue was the last great painter working in the Byzantine tradition. He was born in c. 1240 and died c. 1302, and is well known as the master to his famous pupil Giotto.
Is Cimabue Gothic?
1240-1302) Cimabue, the nickname (Ox-head) given to Cenni di Peppi, was the major artist working in Florence at the end of the 13th-century. Associated with Gothic art, he was an important contributor to Pre-Renaissance Painting (c. 1300-1400).
Where did Byzantine style of art develop?
ConstantinopleByzantine art, architecture, paintings, and other visual arts produced in the Middle Ages in the Byzantine Empire (centred at Constantinople) and in various areas that came under its influence.
Who painted the famous picture Santa Trinita Madonna?
artist CimabueThe Santa Trinita Maestà (Italian: Maestà di Santa Trinita) is a panel painting by the Italian medieval artist Cimabue, dating to c. 1290-1300....Santa Trinita MaestàArtistCimabueYearc. 1290-1300MediumTempera on panelDimensions385 cm × 223 cm (152 in × 88 in)2 more rows
What form did Byzantine artists?
Byzantine art developed iconographic types that were employed in icons, mosaics, and frescoes and influenced Western depictions of sacred subjects.
What Giotto contribute to Western art?
Giotto's contribution to Western art was the trend towards realism and painting true to form. Prior to Giotto, artists followed the Byzantine style of painting in which size, pose, or descriptions did not necessarily need to be realistic and accurate.
What were the first art works from the pre historic times?
petroglyphsThe first and oldest form of prehistoric art are petroglyphs (cupules), which appeared throughout the world during the Lower Paleolithic.
Where is the ognissanti Madonna?
the Uffizi Gallery of FlorenceMadonna Enthroned, also known as the Ognissanti Madonna, or just Madonna Ognissanti, is a painting by the Italian late medieval artist Giotto di Bondone, housed in the Uffizi Gallery of Florence, Italy.
What was Cimabue's job?
Cimabue was subsequently commissioned to decorate the apse and the transept of the Upper Basilica of Assisi, in the same period of time that Roman artists were decorating the nave. The cycle he created there comprises scenes from the Gospels, the lives of the Virgin Mary, St Peter and St Paul.
Where did Cimabue live?
Cimabue spent the last period of his life, 1301 to 1302, in Pisa. There, he was commissioned to finish a mosaic of Christ Enthroned, originally begun by Maestro Francesco, in the apse of the city's cathedral. Cimabue was to create the part of the mosaic depicting St John the Evangelist, which remains the sole surviving work documented as being by the artist. Cimabue died around 1302.
What does Cimabue represent in Canto XI?
Cimabue serves to represent the fleeting nature of fame in contrast with the Enduring God.
What does the name Cimabue mean?
The nickname Cimabue translates as "bull-head" but also possibly as "one who crushes the views of others", from the Latin word cimare, meaning "top", "shear", and "blunt". The conclusion for the second meaning is drawn from similar commentaries on Dante, who was also known "for being contemptuous of criticism".
When was Cimabue born?
Cimabue ( US: / ˌtʃiːməˈbuːeɪ, - mɑːˈ -/; Italian: [tʃimaˈbuːe]; Ecclesiastical Latin: [tʃiˈmabu.e]; c. 1240 – 1302), also known as Cenni di Pepo or Cenni di Pepi, was an Italian painter and designer of mosaics from Florence .
Where was the Crucifixion of Cimabue?
The art historian Pietro Toesca attributed the Crucifixion in the church of San Domenico in Arezzo to Cimabue, dating around 1270, making it the earliest known attributed work ...
Who was Giotto's pupil?
Many scholars now discount Vasari's claim that he took Giotto as his pupil, citing earlier sources that suggest otherwise. Around 1280, Cimabue painted the Maestà, originally displayed in the church of San Francesco at Pisa, but now at the Louvre.
What is the significance of Cimabue's legacy?
It was Cimabue, after all, who had the imagination to see the possibility for decorative Christian art to move beyond icon painting and to bring an earthlier, more human centered, element to devotional altarpieces and frescoes.
What style of painting did Cimabue use?
Thirteenth century Italian artists painted in the flat (two-dimensional) iconographic Eastern Christian Byzantine style. Cimabue's compositions start to suggest the potential for greater pictorial depth. The curved steps on which his Virgin's throne sits, for example, give the illusion that she occupies a real space.
What is Cimabue's style?
Towards the peak of his career, Cimabue began to evolve his style and outgrow the influence of the traditional Italian-Byzantine approach, and began experimenting with linear definitions, gold striations and discovered a new softness of modelling. For instance, his work at the Sta Croce, Florence, which mainly consisted of murals and frescoes, marks a clear abandonment of the Byzantine conventions and signifies a move towards naturalism. Sadly, these remarkable works were destroyed in 1966.
When did Cimabue die?
Cimabue is said to have died in 1302.
Where was Cimabue born?
Cimabue, whose birth name was Benicivieni di Pepo, is said to have been born around 1250 in Italy. Details of his life have been recorded from different discourses and writings of other prolific artists such as Dante and Lorenzo Ghiberti who describe Cimabue as arrogant and haughty, yet extremely talented. However, Giorgio Vasari relates incidents that show Cimabue’s generosity and good will, for instance, when he saw Giotto for the first time, working as a shepherd and drawing on a flat stone, so taken was Cimabue with the young artist’s devotion that he offered to take him up as san apprentice.
What is the most famous example of Cimabue's talent?
The huge and expansive ‘Madonna Enthroned’ that adorns the walls of the Church of Sta Trinita, Florence , is indeed the best and foremost example of Cimabue’s talent and skill. This painting is an intermingling of the traditional Byzantine motifs with a softer, more natural and warm depiction of a loving, easily approachable and earthly mother.
What is Cimabue known for?
Cimabue was a pioneering Italian artist active in the 13th and early 14th century, known for his frescoes, panel paintings, and exquisite mosaics.
When did Cimabue die?
Vasari claims that Cimabue died in 1300. However, there is documentation to suggest he was still working in 1301. It is important to note that the calendar system used in Florence at the time differs greatly from the one we use today. A new year started on March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation, rather than on the 1st of January. A discrepancy of one year can be accounted for, which may explain Vasari’s odd dating. Despite this, it is commonly now accepted that the artist died in 1302 in Pisa where he had been working on his last known masterpiece.
What is the theme of Cimabue's paintings?
In his oeuvre, or at least works that are thought to be by the artist, Cimabue appears to revisit the same themes. This, of course, was common for artists working at that time. Many would become renowned for certain paintings and would gain similar commissions based on their earlier success; this appears to have been the case for Cimabue. Themes such as the Maestà (Italian for Majesty) depicting the Madonna enthroned with the child Christ flanked by angels is one such theme, cropping up often in Cimabue’s larger body of work.
How long did it take to complete the Cimabue mosaic?
The mosaic was completed by Cimabue over 94 days. The documentation also makes mention of heirs, indicating Cimabue died before the work was complete. The work has been restored no less than four times and even miraculously survived a fire in the late 1500s.
What is the meaning of the name Cimabue?
There remains some debate about where this moniker originated from. The name literally means top and ox which many have taken to mean bull-headed. According to Vasari, the Italian painter was noble in character but was essentially a perfectionist who would destroy works that could be considered in any way defective. It is likely, then, that the name Cimabue was intended to be demonstrative of his stubborn and precise nature.
Who is Taija Hurri?
By Taija Hurri MA History of Art, UGDip History of Art and Art-world Practice Taija is an alumna of the University of Glasgow and Christie’s Education. She graduated with a MA from the Courtauld Institute, writing her thesis on early Florentine printmaking. Her research interests are varied, as she loves uncovering the overlooked minutiae of objects, buildings, and historical periods.
Who mentioned Cimabue and Giotto?
It is difficult to know the ins and outs of that relationship, however, the famous poet Dante Alighieri mentioned the pair by name in the Divine Comedy ’s Purgatorio. This verse might simply demonstrate the two as being contemporaries, highlighting the fact that even during their lifetime Cimabue’s fame and fortune were quickly diminished by Giotto’s virtuosity. And in fact, many contemporary art historians have now come to question this apprenticeship altogether.
Who is Cimabue?
1240 – 1302), also known as Cenni di Pepo or Cenni di Pepi, was an Italian painter and designer of mosaics from Florence. Although heavily influenced by Byzantine models, Cimabue is generally regarded as one of the first great Italian painters to break from ...
Where did Cimabue work?
During the pontificate of Pope Nicholas IV, the first Franciscan pope, Cimabue worked in Assisi. At Assisi, in the transept of the Lower Basilica of San Francesco, he created a fresco named Madonna with Child Enthroned, Four Angels and St Francis. The left portion of this fresco is lost, but it may have shown St Anthony of Padua (the authorship of the painting has been recently disputed for technical and stylistic reasons). Cimabue was subsequently commissioned to decorate the apse and the transept of the Upper Basilica of Assisi, in the same period of time that Roman artists were decorating the nave. The cycle he created there comprises scenes from the Gospels, the lives of the Virgin Mary, St Peter and St Paul. The paintings are now in poor condition because of oxidation of the brighter colours that were used by the artist.
What was Cimabue's job?
Cimabue was subsequently commissioned to decorate the apse and the transept of the Upper Basilica of Assisi, in the same period of time that Roman artists were decorating the nave. The cycle he created there comprises scenes from the Gospels, the lives of the Virgin Mary, St Peter and St Paul.
What is the purpose of the large throne in Cimabue's painting?
The large throne also allows Cimabue to place the Virgin and the eight angels that surround her at the top of the composition , foreshortening the front parts of the throne and bringing them closer to the viewer , creating the illusion of depth on the painting’s flat surface.
What is the arrangement of the figures in Cimabue's altarpiece called?
This arrangement foreshadows a trend seen in later altarpieces called a predella —a lateral band of smaller images placed below a larger image. Placed in the foreground, these figures seem to be closer to the viewer than Mary and Christ, further enhancing the sense of three-dimensionality within the painting.
Who holds the scroll with both hands?
Isaiah and Jeremiah look upwards towards Mary, and each holds an open palm towards the viewer. David gestures similarly, looking towards Abraham, who holds his scroll with both hands and gazes outward from the picture plane.
Overview
Cimabue , also known as Cenni di Pepo or Cenni di Pepi, was an Italian painter and designer of mosaics from Florence.
Although heavily influenced by Byzantine models, Cimabue is generally regarded as one of the first great Italian painters to break from the Italo-Byzantine style. While medieval art then was scenes and forms that appeared relatively flat and …
Life
Little is known about Cimabue's early life. One source that recounts his career is Vasari's Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, but its accuracy is uncertain.
He was born in Florence and died in Pisa. Hayden Maginnis speculates that he could have trained in Florence under masters who were culturally connected to Byzantine …
Character
According to Vasari, quoting a contemporary of Cimabue, "Cimabue of Florence was a painter who lived during the author's own time, a nobler man than anyone knew but he was as a result so haughty and proud that if someone pointed out to him any mistake or defect in his work, or if he had noted any himself... he would immediately destroy the work, no matter how precious it might be."
Legacy
History has long regarded Cimabue as the last of an era that was overshadowed by the Italian Renaissance. As early as 1543, Vasari wrote of Cimabue, "Cimabue was, in one sense, the principal cause of the renewal of painting," with the qualification that, "Giotto truly eclipsed Cimabue's fame just as a great light eclipses a much smaller one."
In Dante's Divine Comedy
In Canto XI of his Purgatorio, Dante laments the quick loss of public interest in Cimabue in the face of Giotto's revolution in art: In Purgatorio, although not seen, Cimabue is mentioned by Oderisi, who is also repenting for his pride. Cimabue serves to represent the fleeting nature of fame in contrast with the Enduring God.
O vanity of human powers, how briefly lasts the crowning green of glory, unless an age of darkne…
In Canto XI of his Purgatorio, Dante laments the quick loss of public interest in Cimabue in the face of Giotto's revolution in art: In Purgatorio, although not seen, Cimabue is mentioned by Oderisi, who is also repenting for his pride. Cimabue serves to represent the fleeting nature of fame in contrast with the Enduring God.
O vanity of human powers, how briefly lasts the crowning green of glory, unless an age of darkne…
Market
On 27 October 2019, Christ Mocked, discovered the previous month in northern France, in the kitchen of an elderly French woman, sold for €24m (£20m; $26.6m) at auction, setting a new record. The sale price was four times the estimate. Acteon Auction House said the sum, paid by an anonymous buyer from northern France, was a new world record for a medieval painting sold at auction.
External links
Media related to Cimabue at Wikimedia Commons
• Cimabue. Pictures and Biography
• Cimabue Santa Trinita Madonna (1280–1290). A video discussion about the painting from smarthistory.khanacademy.org
• "Cimabue, Giovanni" . The New Student's Reference Work . 1914.