Lena Rivera
The painting Madonna Enthroned between two angels has been created by various artists over the centuries, including Giotto di Bondone, Duccio di Buoninsegna, and Fra Filippo Lippi. Giotto's version, also known as the Ognissanti Madonna, is considered a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance painting and is generally dated to around 1310. Duccio's painting, known as the Rucellai Madonna, was created in the early 1280s and is one of the oldest and largest paintings on wood from the 13th century. Lippi's interpretation, known simply as Madonna and Child with Two Angels, is believed to have been painted in the 1430s or 1440s and is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Each of these paintings depicts the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child surrounded by angels and saints, reflecting the traditional Christian subject matter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Giotto di Bondone |
| Date | c. 1310 |
| Medium | Tempera on wood panel |
| Size | 325 x 204 cm |
| Location | Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy |
| Subjects | Virgin Mary, Christ Child, Saints, Angels |
| Composition | Symmetrical |
| Lighting | Value scale, light source on the right |
| Colours | Gold |
| Style | Italo-Byzantine, Gothic |
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What You'll Learn
The painting is also known as the 'Ognissanti Madonna' or 'Madonna Ognissanti'
The painting Madonna Enthroned, also known as the Ognissanti Madonna or Madonna Ognissanti, is an important landmark in art history. It is a painting in tempera on a wood panel by the Italian late-medieval artist Giotto di Bondone. The painting depicts the traditional Christian subject of the Madonna and Child, with the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child seated on her lap, surrounded by saints and angels. This representation of the Virgin, enthroned and surrounded by a court-like company, is called a Maestà and was popular at the time.
The Ognissanti Madonna is celebrated as one of the first paintings of the Italian Renaissance due to its naturalism and departure from the constraints of Italo-Byzantine and Gothic art. Giotto's innovative use of light and shadow, as well as his emphasis on the relationship between figures and space, revolutionized the way paintings were done up until that point. The painting is known for its sense of reality and three-dimensionality, with the figures appearing to be inserted into a well-defined space rather than floating.
Giotto was influenced by several artists, including his teacher Cimabue, whose work shared aspects of the Italo-Byzantine style. Giotto adopted the importance of volume and forms in space from Cimabue, and their depictions of angel wings clearly resemble each other. Additionally, Giotto took cues from contemporary sculptors such as Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, whose work was influenced by Northern Gothic art.
The Ognissanti Madonna was completed in Florence and originally painted for the Ognissanti church, built for the Humiliati, a small religious order. The painting's name derives from the church it was created for, with "Ognissanti" in Italian meaning "all saints". The painting is now housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
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It was painted by Giotto di Bondone
The painting "Madonna Enthroned", also known as the "Ognissanti Madonna" or "Madonna Ognissanti", was indeed painted by Giotto di Bondone. It is a painting in tempera on wood panel, and it is now in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. The painting is a traditional Christian depiction of the Madonna and Child, representing the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child seated on her lap, surrounded by saints and angels. This particular representation of the Virgin, enthroned and surrounded by a court-like company, is called a "Maestà", a popular form at the time.
Giotto di Bondone was a late medieval Italian artist, and "Madonna Enthroned" is considered one of his later works, generally dated to around 1310. The painting is often celebrated as the first painting of the Italian Renaissance due to its naturalism and departure from the constraints of Italo-Byzantine and Gothic art. The influence of Cimabue, Giotto's teacher, can be seen in the symmetrical composition of the piece, as well as in the depiction of angels' wings, which resemble each other.
In "Madonna Enthroned", Giotto utilised a value scale, a distinct range of light and dark, to create a sense of volume in the figures, a characteristic that is usually associated with later Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci. Interestingly, Giotto placed the light source on the right side of the painting, which is unusual compared to his other works. The reason for this deviation is not known with certainty.
The painting was originally created for the high altar of the Ognissanti church in Florence, which was built for the Humiliati, a small religious order. The church was adorned with several acclaimed paintings, and Giotto's "Madonna Enthroned" stands out for its masterful use of three-dimensional space. Giotto's treatment of figure and frame enhances the illusion of spatial continuity beyond the confines of the artificial frame. This technique is evident in his extensive series of frescoes created after 1305 in the Arena Chapel of Padua.
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It was completed in the early 14th century
The painting "Madonna Enthroned with Angels" is a remarkable work of art with a long and intriguing history. When we delve into its origins, we find ourselves travelling back to the early decades of the 14th century. This was a period of immense artistic evolution, with painters experimenting with new techniques and styles, building upon the foundations laid by the earlier Byzantine art movement. It was during this creative explosion that this iconic depiction of the Madonna was brought to life.
The early 14th century was a time when the Italian peninsula witnessed the emergence of groundbreaking artistic movements and schools, with painters striving to capture the beauty and complexity of the human form, emotions, and spiritual themes in a way that felt fresh and contemporary. This particular painting, with its intricate details and exquisite use of colour, stands as a testament to the artistic innovations of that era. Completed around the year 1300 or slightly thereafter, it showcases the skills and vision of artists of that time, who were daring to break free from the rigid conventions of the past.
While the artist or artists behind this masterpiece remain unknown, we can surmise that they were highly skilled and likely well-versed in the techniques of the Trecento, the Italian name for the 14th century. This period saw the rise of the Sienese school, which favoured a more elegant and decorative style compared to the harsher, more emotional works of the Florentine artists. The unknown painter of "Madonna Enthroned with Angels" demonstrated a mastery of this Sienese style, creating a work that is both refined and deeply spiritual.
The early decades of the 14th century also saw a flourishing of religious art, as the Catholic Church commissioned numerous works to decorate churches and inspire devotion. "Madonna Enthroned with Angels" fits within this context, offering a serene and idealised vision of the Madonna and Child, surrounded by adoring angels. The intricate gold detailing and the use of rich colours reflect the opulence and grandeur often associated with religious art of this period, designed to elevate the viewer's senses and inspire awe and reverence.
Being completed in the early 14th century, this painting has survived wars, natural disasters, and the passage of time itself. It has endured as a testament to the artistic achievements of that era, providing valuable insights into the techniques, themes, and aesthetics favoured by artists of that time. Its preservation allows us to trace the evolution of art, connecting the dots between the Byzantine era and the later Renaissance, and offering a glimpse into the minds and hearts of artists who sought to capture the divine through their earthly creations.
So, as we stand before this painting, we are not merely observing a static image, but gazing back through the centuries, connecting with a moment of artistic brilliance that continues to inspire and captivate audiences centuries later. Its completion in the early 14th century marks a pivotal moment in the history of art, a reminder of the enduring power and beauty that can emerge from a painter's brush when skill, creativity, and devotion intertwine.
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It is a painting on wood panel
The painting referred to as "Madonna Enthroned between two angels" is the Ognissanti Madonna or Madonna Ognissanti, a painting in tempera on wood panel by the Italian late-medieval artist Giotto di Bondone. It is generally dated to around 1310 and is housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. The painting depicts the traditional Christian subject of the Madonna and Child, representing the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child seated on her lap, with saints and
The "Ognissanti Madonna" is celebrated as the first painting of the Italian Renaissance due to its naturalism and departure from the Italo-Byzantine and Gothic art styles. Giotto's use of a value scale, a distinct range of light and dark, creates a sense of volume in the figures, giving them a slight smokiness characteristic of later Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci. The light source in this painting is located on the right side, differing from Giotto's other works, and its significance is unknown. However, it may be attributed to the painting's placement within the church or the artist's use of lighting exaggeration.
Giotto was influenced by various artists, including his teacher Cimabue, whose symmetrical composition and Italo-Byzantine style are evident in the "Ognissanti Madonna". The work also shows the influence of contemporary sculptors like Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, with dramatic compositions and Northern Gothic art elements. Giotto effectively utilized figure and frame to enhance the illusion of spatial continuity beyond the confines of the artificial frame.
Another painting that depicts the Madonna and Child with two angels is by Fra Filippo Lippi and is dated between 1460 and 1465. This painting, also in tempera on panel, is housed in the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence. Lippi's interpretation is a playful and humanist variation on the traditional Madonna and Child Enthroned theme, with the figures appearing more human and the angels looking especially playful.
Additionally, the Rucellai Madonna, created by Sienese painter Duccio di Buoninsegna in the early 1280s, is the largest painting on wood from the 13th century. It depicts the Virgin and Child enthroned and surrounded by angels.
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It is a variation on the Madonna and Child Enthroned
The painting "Madonna and Child with Two Angels" by Fra Filippo Lippi is a variation on the Madonna and Child Enthroned, a theme that artists have been painting for hundreds of years. This particular painting is said to revel in mischief and beauty, with a playful tone that is very different from the solemnity of earlier depictions of the Madonna and Child.
In Lippi's painting, Mary's hands are clasped in prayer, and both she and the Christ child appear lost in thought. The figures are very human, and the angels look especially playful. This humanism is characteristic of the 15th century, and the painting's location in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence places it in the context of the Italian Renaissance.
The Madonna and Child Enthroned theme has a long history, with large paintings of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child seated on a throne adorning Italian churches as early as the late 1200s. These paintings, known as "Maestà" ("majesty"), were adaptations of traditional Byzantine icons for use in Western Europe.
One of the oldest and best-known examples of the Madonna and Child Enthroned is the Rucellai Madonna by Duccio di Buoninsegna, commissioned in 1285. This painting, the largest painting on wood from the 13th century, features Mary seated on a richly carved wooden throne, with the Christ Child on her knees, dressed in traditional ancient robes and giving a blessing with his right hand. The throne is held by six kneeling angels, giving the impression of a sudden apparition before the worshippers.
Another well-known example is the Ognissanti Madonna by Giotto di Bondone, generally dated to around 1310. This painting, also in the Uffizi Gallery, continues the Italo-Byzantine style of the time while also incorporating elements of Italian Gothic design. Giotto's figures are weighty and three-dimensional, and he utilizes a value scale of light and dark to create a sense of volume.
Overall, the Madonna and Child Enthroned theme has been a popular subject for artists for hundreds of years, with variations such as Lippi's "Madonna and Child with Two Angels" bringing a new sense of playfulness and humanism to the traditional subject matter.
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Frequently asked questions
The painting of the Madonna and Child with Two Angels by Fra Filippo Lippi was completed around 1440.
Yes, there are several paintings with the same theme of the Madonna and Child Enthroned, including the Rucellai Madonna by Duccio di Buoninsegna, which was completed in 1285, and the Ognissanti Madonna by Giotto di Bondone, which was completed around 1310.
The Fra Filippo Lippi painting is displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Rucellai Madonna is displayed at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, and the Ognissanti Madonna is also displayed at the Uffizi Gallery.
