Description
The painting Scenes from the Life of St Francis: 4. Death and Ascension of St Francis by the Italian artist Giotto Di Bondone is a masterpiece of Renaissance art that has captivated viewers for centuries. This painting, measuring 280 x 450 cm, is one of the most moving scenes from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, who is considered one of the most important saints of the Catholic Church.
Giotto's artistic style is unique and is characterized by his use of perspective and depth in his paintings. In this work, Giotto uses the fresco technique, which involves applying pigments to a wet plaster surface, allowing the colors to adhere permanently to the surface. The composition of the painting is highly detailed and shows Saint Francis on his deathbed surrounded by his followers and angels.
The color used by Giotto in this painting is very rich and vibrant, giving a sense of life and movement to the scene. Gold and red tones are used to represent celestial glory and divinity, while darker, earthier tones are used to represent death and sadness.
The history of painting is fascinating. It was commissioned by Cardinal Giacomo Gaetani Stefaneschi in the year 1296 to decorate the chapel of Saint Nicholas in the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy. The painting was completed in 1300 and has been kept in the chapel ever since.
One of the lesser known aspects of this painting is that Giotto included his own image in the scene. Giotto can be seen in the lower left corner of the painting, dressed in a red coat and holding a book in his hand. This is a rarity in Renaissance art, as artists rarely portrayed themselves in their works.
In conclusion, Scenes from the Life of St Francis: 4. Death and Ascension of St Francis is a masterpiece of Renaissance art that continues to captivate viewers today. The fresco technique, the detailed composition, the use of color and the story behind the painting make it a fascinating and meaningful work of art.