Giotto, Passion & Art History

Basilica of Saint Francis

10" x 7" Pastel on LaCarte 2010

I have been having a long distance relationship. If you have been reading my blog for any length of time you have, more than likely, picked up on the fact that this passionate love affair I am having, is with a country. Yes, I am in love with a country and I know I am not alone. Frankly, I am just another Bunny at The Mansion.

On top of it, we don't see each other very often so I have been finding ways to stay connected. -- Italian 101, Italian 102, Art History ... reading histories and biographies, watching Fellini movies, blogging my Italy photos, and doing pastels from my trip (see above.)

Art History class isn't just Italian art but since we started in the 13th and 14th centuries, it's heavy on the Italian which I, of course, am thrilled about. Our first in class assignment was to write a paper comparing two slides projected on a screen. The slides were artworks from the 13th and 14th centuries. We had to say where they were from, when they were painted and compare and contrast the difference in styles. Two pages, handwritten.

The Allegory of Poverty by Giotto c 1330

detail of fresco from the lower Basilica of San Francesco, Assisi

All of the sudden I was half way down the second page and I'd only written about the Giotto fresco from Padua. (below) I had gotten completely carried away with the Italian art (suprise, surprise) and I hadn't written a thing about the little Dutch painting on the right. Just then the professor said "five minutes!" at which point I scribble down a few lines about Northern European painting of the 14th century and handed it in. Oh well, at least it's not like I am trying to transfer to Harvard or anything.

After turning in our papers I sat for the next two hours listening to the professor speak passionately about the early Italian Renaissance while looking at slides of the work of Donatello, Brunelleschi and Ghiberti. It was heaven.

Lamentation by Giotto

Arena Chapel, Padua 1305-1306

For those of you who are also in love and can't get enough (and I know you are many) ... I found this on YouTube ... enjoy!

Our passions can help us to continue to grow and learn

They can make life more fulfilling and certainly more enjoyable!

What are your passions?

I hope you are all finding ways to explore your favorite passions this weekend!

Blessings and light!