Glass Drama

Crucifixion (detail) - c. 1340 - Stained glass window - St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna (click photo for larger image)The Gothic stained glass featured here represents the Virgin and St John, from the monumental Crucifixion in the choir of St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. The emotional intensity emanating from the figures is intensified by the deep red background. In glass—color and shape are so very important. Under Duke Albrecht II of Austria, the High Gothic layout of the choir was completed and consecrated in 1340. The stained glass window must have been made shortly before the consecration. It is truly a magnificent work of art—the type of which would inspire the Modern artists of the early 20th century.

Lluis Borrassa

Lluis Borassa - St Peter is Walking on the Water - 1411-13 - Tempera on wood, 102 x 65 cm - Sant Pere, Terrasa (click photo for larger image)Lluis Borassa (ca. 1360-1425) was a Catalan painter, active in Barcelona and its neighborhood from 1388 to 1424. His work shows French and Sienese influences and is representative of the International Gothic style. Several of his documented works survive, for example the great composite altarpiece of Sta Clara, executed 1412-15, now in Vich Museum, Barcelona. READ MORE about this particular painting.

Jacobello del Fiore

Jacobello del Fiore - Coronation of the Virgin - 1438 - Tempera on panel, 283 x 303 cm - Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice (click photo for larger image)Early Italian Renaissance painter Jacobello del Fiore (1370-1439) was a Venetian painter, who broke away from the Byzantine influenced tradition. He was influenced by the International Gothic style of the early 15th century. In this painting, Mary sits on Jesus' right, on a multi-level Gothic throne, where ee places a crown on her head. The multitude of figures restrained by the strict frames of architecture emphasize the rigid ceremoniousness of the scene--and are also quite representative of the Gothic style that preceded the Renaissance. This work is as much a delight of colors and patterns as it is a narrative. However, it does contain a lot of symbolism that does indeed tell a story and provide identifying information. For example, on the right we see patriarchs and apostles, on the left prophets and martyrs. Below saints and holy virgins are lined up; they can be recognized by the scrolls in their hands. For all of the renown of Renaissance art--it is this type of early work of that era, which remained very Gothic in style, that would have the greatest influence on later developments in Modern art.

Simone Martini - A Quintessential Sienese Painter

Simone Martini - The Annunciation and Two Saints - 1333 - Tempera on wood, 184 x 210 cm - Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence (click photo for larger image)Sienese painter Simone Martini (c. 1285-1344) was a major figure in early Italian painting, and his work exemplifies the Sienese school. Martini also greatly influenced the development of the International Gothic Style, a courtly style that synthesized a variety of characteristics from different regions. This came about because artists had to travel far and wide, to various courts of Europe, in order to find work, following the Black Death.

The altarpiece featured here was executed between 1329 and 1333 (before the outbreak of the plague) for the chapel of Sant'Ansano of the Cathedral in Siena. Simone Martini and his brother-in-law, Lippo Memmi (who completed the lateral figures of Saint Ansano and Saint Giulitta) both worked on the project. However, most of it was completed by Martini. The central pot with lilies symbolize Mary's purity, and the olive branch is a symbol of peace. The rich, lush gold background was typical for Gothic works.

Altichiero da Zevio - A Late Gothic Master

Altichiero da Zevio - Death of St Lucy - 1379-84 - Fresco, 237 x 290 cm - Oratorio di San Giorgio, Padua (click photo for larger image)The Italian painter, Altichiero da Zevio (ca. 1330 - ca. 1390) is regarded as one of the founders of the Veronese school of painting. Most of his surviving works are in Padua, Italy--where he learned much from the works of the great proto-Renaissance painter, Giotto. However, he did retain a lot of the pageantry of the late 14th century Gothic style--and his contributions to that style are outstanding. The art of the Middle Ages (which includes the late Gothic) is often overlooked. This thousand-year-long tradition is not only magnificent in its own right. It also had a profound influence on many modern artists. The painting featured here is rich in architectural forms and drama. The subject matter is St Lucy, whose name means “light”. She is the patron saint of the blind.