Giotto’s Annunciation to the Virgin in Arena Chapel in Padua between East and West
Alessandro Tomei
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that Giotto’s knowledge the Byzantine painting and illumination - but also textual sources was deeper than conventionally thought in Arena Chapel painter realized an astonishing fusion between Eastern Western iconographical lines development. About 1303-1305, on chancel arch Padua, Giotto painted extraordinary original composition, showing God Father sending Archangel Gabriel announce Virgin Mary miraculous conception Christ Saviour. God’s image a wooden panel inserted wall, while other characters scene are made buon fresco. It evident had looked at non-Western visual tradition, it first time Europe such specific theme displayed with corresponding doctrinal formal complexity.
Ikon