Saturday, March 5, 2011

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!

20 comments:

Gary Keimig said...

very nice

Kerry O'Gorman said...

My lover is green, with rolling hills and ancient stone...also loads of fun in the pub scene...Ireland of course! But I must admit, I would cheat with Italy any day!

Cobalt Violet said...

Thanks Gary!

Kerry, you crack me up! I love it!

donna baker said...

I saw St. Francis's cloak and rope belt in Florence. Italy was wonderful. I don't know why, but I just loved Rome. Guess it's because I live on a farm and when I travel somewhere I want to be where there is a lot to see and do.

Unknown said...

Great photographs Lucinda.
Thank you for sharing.
Costas

none said...

Your posts have awakened a new interest in me for Italian Renaissance art.. I will explore more :-)

Tammie Lee said...

your pastel is lovely!
i have a love affair with light
in photography
art and words....

KathyA said...

Ah, you're not so secret is out!! And a wonderful affair it is!

Loree said...

One of my passions is Italy :) The other is chocolate.

Cobalt Violet said...

Donna- I am completely with you. Rome is my favorite city!

Costas - thank you!

Jade - so happy you are wanting to explore! The more you get into to it, the more amazing it gets!

Tammy Lee - thank you! I am with you on those passions!

Kathy yes it is! :)

Loree - definitely chocolate! For me, the darker the better!

Victoria said...

Gorgeous Lu..beautiful art...so so stunning! and such a beautiful read..i always love your sharings...and thanks for the vid..I shall enjoy it now wiht some wine! I love Italy..and am in love too..

Jo Potter said...

I have the same love affair as you Lucinda!
Italy is two timing us! ;-))
When I was at art college and studied history of art, I also loved the Italian painters.
Visiting Florence and the Uffizi gallery was heavenly.
Seeing The Birth of Venus painting by Botticelli was a great moment.
I have never seen so many ceiling paintings in churches before either!
Your pastel drawing is beautiful with the flash of sunlight through the clouds... This post is wonderful and I really enjoyed seeing all the Renaissance angels.
Have a great week. xx

Cobalt Violet said...

Thanks Kiki and Joanne! :)

A Brush with Color said...

Well, how did I miss this? What a wonderful image at the top of the blog post here! You're so talented. I have an email address that's "loveitaly@" so I hear you! YOu do a marvelous job of weaving all sorts of good things together here. Love all the artwork...

Prospero said...

Wonderful pastel, Lucinda.

Italy. Have you seen Tarkovsky's Nostalghia?

Tiffany Kadani said...

Oh Italy! My heart belongs there also!

Don said...

Ciao! And of course I agree.

Kerry O'Gorman said...

Lucinda...have you seen this woman's blog? I will warn you that you will need a LARGE box of kleenex for your drool! She has the most gorgeous pictures of Italy!
http://is-theblog.blogspot.com/

Craftsman of light said...

Hi Lucinda,
You make me happy when you talk of Giotto, Francis, Assisi.....doves come from nowhere to sit before my eyes.
i feel connected to your words, to your Assisi, to your spirit!
The pastel of yours is a fine consacrations!
col

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