Giotto (1266 – 1337) laid the foundations of Renaissance painting, establishing precedents that filtered down through Renaissance art and found development and expansion in the work of Masaccio (1401 – 1428). Both Giotto and Masaccio were true giants of the Renaissance — and therefore stand at the forefront of all artistic expression; both masterfully depicted scenes of deep emotion and lasting impact. To our modern eye, Masaccio’s work may seem more “advanced” and thus “better,” but it is Giotto who often touches the soul in a way characteristic of truly great art.
Comparing their work affords a valuable glimpse not only into the world of Renaissance art, but also into the roots of artistic sensibilities that persist to this day. Their approaches to narrative depiction touch on universal issues of aesthetic understanding and highlight the tension inherent in trying to depict the transcendent.
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