Giotto di Bondone was born in 1266 in the village of Vespignano
near Florence, Italy. He is best known for his series of frescoes painted
in the Arena Chapel at Padua. His work is noted for beginning the Renaissance
period. He died on January 8, 1337, in Milan.
Healing of the Man Born Blind
Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco, was born in
1541 in Candia, Crete. He was profoundly influenced by the rich colors
and free handling of paint associated with Venetian painters. Although
he is of Spanish descent, El Greco spent the majority of his life in Italy.
He died a poor man in 1614.
Raising of Lazarus
Born Benozzo di Lese di Sandro in 1420 in the city of Florence, Italy,
Benozzo Gozzoli made his mark in the Early Renaissance. He was especially
adept at painting groups of people in processions or in dramatic action,
against fanciful landscapes and architectural backgrounds. Most of his
paintings are frescoes and are noted for their realistic detail and clear,
bright color. He died on October 4, 1497, in Pistoia.
Washing of the Disciples' Feet
Duccio di Buoninsegna was born in Siena, Italy, in the year 1255.
He was a precursor of the Renaissance style, who brought to perfection
the art of medieval Italy in the Byzantine tradition. Duccio has been called
the "Last of the Greeks," and his genius consisted in giving exquisite
expression to the refined sentiment of the masters of Byzantium. He died
on August 3, 1319.
Crucifixion
Raphael was born Raffaello Santi or Raffaello Sanzio in Urbino on
April 6, 1483, and received his early training in art from his father,
the painter Giovanni Santi. As an Italian Renaissance painter, he is considered
one of the greatest and most popular artists of all time. He studied the
work of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, learning their methods of representing
the play of light and shadow, anatomy, and dramatic action. He died in
1520 in Rome.
