The Ponte Vecchio is one of few surviving medieval urbanized bridges in all of Europe.
Late Gothic art in Florence
The Laudario of Sant'Agnese is one of the most important examples of early Renaissance illumination and it was decorated by two of the most sought-after workshops at the time.
Laudario of Sant’Agnese
A rare altar frontal made for Santa Maria Novella in Florence that still survives after 700 years
A rare embroidery made for an altar ...
This is a Mary like we’ve never seen before—she’s more monumental and sits in a space that makes sense.
Giotto, The Ognissanti Madonna and Child Enthroned
Set against gleaming gold, Mary and Christ sit on an intricately carved throne studded with gems.
Cimabue, Virgin and Child Enthroned, and Prophets ...
Take a tour of the Arena Chapel in virtual reality—it's almost as good as being there in person!
The Arena Chapel (and Giotto’s frescos) in ...
a new image of a new saint in the Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence
Inventing the image of Saint Francis
Like a comic without words, these frescoes tell the story of Christ and his parents—and give their patron a cameo.
Giotto, Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel
Dante’s vision of Hell inspired generations of artists—and his words still feed imaginations today.
Dante’s Divine Comedy in Late Medieval and ...
Boom times in Florence saw a rise in art commissions, and the Italo-Byzantine style yielded to Giotto’s naturalism.
Florence in the Late Gothic period, an ...
This huge panel hints at the coming Renaissance, but the figures remain weightless and their features, elongated.
Cimabue, Santa Trinita Madonna and Child Enthroned
Only decades apart—but what a difference. Next to Giotto’s substantial Virgin, Cimabue’s appears flat yet elegant.
Cimabue and Giotto compared
Christ sits as Judge, separating the blessed from the damned. In Hell, money lenders—like Scrovegni—appear hanged.
Giotto, Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel (part 4 of ...
In this powerful scene, Mary cradles the dead Christ. A simple landscape and mourning crowd direct us to her grief.
Giotto, Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel (part 3 of ...
With their emotion, gestures, mass, and volume, Giotto’s people seem real—and time moves with them.
Giotto, Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel (part 2 of ...
Painting covers every inch of this chapel, from the spiraling narrative cycle to the star-studded blue sky.
Giotto, Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel (part 1 of ...
Hooked thumbs, pressing elbows, open mouths—these details lend intimacy and reality to an otherwise formal scene.
Giotto, The Entombment of Mary
Is that fear in his eyes? Saint Francis betrays human emotions as Giotto unites the earthly and heavenly realms.
Giotto, St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the ...
Biblical stories, zodiac signs, and scenes of local industry share real estate on the bottom of this bell tower.
Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!
