The Crucifixion

Because he broke with the Byzantine and medieval traditions and opened the way for naturalistic representation, Giotto is regarded as the founder of ‘modern’ painting.

In this work, the Crucifixion, he makes clear his ambition to make the characters’ appearances and stories believable. His particular focus is on facial expressions. Just look how light picks out the shapes and details on this abstract golden background. The air seems to flow around these figures which are not just juxtaposed, but related through their spatial positioning.

Observe the background figures. They are smaller, not because they are less important, but to give us a sense of depth: Giotto is exploring perspective a century before its laws were actually established.

The Crucifixion was the right panel of a diptych displaying a delicate devotional painting. The other part, entitled ‘Madonna and Child with saints and virtues’, is kept in a private collection in New York.