Giotto di Bondone’s Crucifixion is a small panel painting measuring 58cm x 33cm located in the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin. Part of a cycle of frescoes that depict the life of Christ, Giotto’s artwork portrays the crucifixion in a more natural and realistic way than previous artists. The proportions of Christ’s body in the painting have emotional gravitas when viewed from the viewer’s point of view.
Furthermore, Giotto’s frescoes in the Arena Chapel represent some of his most famous works. These paintings illustrate scenes from both Old and New Testaments with vibrant colors, simple forms, and clear composition. Commissioning these frescoes may have been motivated by a desire to atone for usury – an act believed to be sinful by the church.
Overall, Giotto achieved significant advances during his lifetime as an artist, particularly regarding forms that convey feelings such as pain and suffering. He influenced several other prominent Renaissance painters such as Masaccio and Michelangelo. His style paved the way for future artists to explore new techniques and challenge traditional artwork norms.
