Florence at the Dawn of the Renaissance: At the Getty

The Ascension of Christ (detail) from the Laudario of Sant'Agnese, about 1340, Pacino di Bonaguida. Tempera and gold on parchment, 17 1/2 x 12 1/2 in. (44.4 x 31.8 cm). The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. 80a, verso

Peruzzi Altarpiece (detail), about 1309–15, Giotto di Bondone. Tempera and gold leaf on panel, 41 5/8 x 98 1/2 x 6 in. (105.7 x 250.2 x 15.2 cm). North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, GL.60.17.7


In the early 1300s, creativity was flourishing in Florence at a time of unprecedented prosperity, urban expansion, and intellectual innovation. The Renaissance was awakening. In this dynamic climate, master painter Giotto di Bondone revolutionized painting with a new, more naturalistic approach to the human form. He—along with the iconic literary figure Dante Alighieri and accomplished panel painters and illuminators—formed a thriving artistic community that responded to the great demand for art and literature in the growing city, both for the decoration of sacred and secular buildings and for the illumination of luxurious manuscripts. 

This major international loan exhibition presents seven breathtaking paintings by Giotto, the largest number ever assembled in North America, as well as extraordinary works by his Florentine contemporaries, including painters Bernardo Daddi and Taddeo Gaddi and painter-illuminators Pacino di Bonaguida, the Master of the Dominican Effigies, and the Master of the Codex of Saint George. Among the highlights are the earliest illuminated copies of Dante's masterpiece the Divine Comedy, and nearly all the surviving leaves from the most important illuminated manuscript commission of the early 1300s, the Laudario of Sant'Agnese.

Read more at the Getty.

Read more about Giotto.

Ghent Altarpiece Gets Own Interactive Web Site

Hubert and Jan van Eyck's "Mystic Lamb" also known as the Ghent Altarpiece (1432), now has its own website. The 15th. century piece is considered to be one of the world's art masterpieces. It consists of 24 framed panels that can be changed by moving the hinged outer wings.


The stunning altarpiece presents the story of Christianity focusing on the redemption. The interior focuses on the redemption with the upper side panels show the original sin of Adam and Eve. The lower panel shows the apostles and martyrs who gather around the Sacred Lamb which is a symbol of Christ the Redeemer. 


As part of conservation efforts since last year, the work has been meticulously photographed centimeter by centimeter. It is photographed in such high resolution that the viewer can observe tiny trees and other details not able to by seen with just the eyes.

The project was funded by the Getty Foundation and the J. Paul Getty Museum. The grant was initiated to train a new generation of experts in art conservation. There are only a few experts in the world who are experienced enough to take on such a project such as the altarpiece. 

You can read more at, To Save a Masterpiece: The Ghent Altarpiece, about Queen’s University art historian Dr. Ron Spronk who is the co-leader of the international team to save this great work of art.