File:Giotto (1905) (14774107064).jpg

Identifier: giotto00dese (find matches)
Title: Giotto
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors: De Selincourt, Basil, 1876-
Subjects: Giotto, 1266?-1337
Publisher: London : Duckworth and Co. New York, C. Scribner's Sons
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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s it by contrast in the figure of Mary, who, aloneundazed by the brightness of the light, is in directcommunion with Christ as he ascends, the disciplesbeing reverential in the face of a mystery beyond theirunderstanding. Ruskin aptly remarks that much ofthe frescos power depends on the continuity of lineobtained by the half-floating figures of the two warningangels. 38. The Descent of the Holy Spirit. Preceded by Moses receiving the Tables of the Law. The arrangement of this fresco is curiously similar tothat of the Last Supper: in both cases our firstimpression is apt to be, that a ring of seated figures is allthat the artist has represented; and perhaps it is onlywhen the two paintings are compared with one anotherthat the expressiveness of each can be fully realised bythe modern observer. The peace and quietness, whichare generally spoken of as the chief characteristics ofthis scene, will then be found to be foreign, at least tothe artists intentions; the one company sat hushed in
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Photo, Alinari\ (Arena Chapel THE VIRGIN WITH ATTENDANT ANGELS To face p, 149 THE ARENA CHAPEL AT PADUA 149 an unbroken sorrowful solemnity, the other is roused toagitation by amazement and joy. The Gothic arch is here used conspicuously, and forthe first time in the Paduan series,* to symbolise theChristian Church. The Last Judgment. The accompanying reproduction of the Virgin andher attendant angels is better calculated to impress thereader with a sense of the majestic grandeur, in whichthis colossal fresco is conceived, than any map in minia-ture of the entire design. The very figures seem trans-formed, their proportions ampler and more stately, andtheir dignity increased by the large rhythmic sweep oftheir splendid draperies. The same qualities are abun-dantly evident in the composition as a whole. It istreated according to the traditional pattern, Christseated in the centre in a glory, with legions of warrior-angels floating behind and above him in the air, and thetwelve apostles

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