"Lamentation"

Dr. B asked us the question: “What was a major breakthrough from the Byzantine style concerning Giotto’s work?” The answer we gave was “emotion.” I believe this subject can be exemplified and concluded simply within Giotto’s fresco “Lamentation.” Not only are there over 15 expressions displayed in this magnificent work, but each one captures the agony of multiple personalities grieving over the same man. Giotto was able to give-in detail-the utter despair of a mother, the anguish of young follower, the astonishment of a disciple, and even the mourning of the inhabitants of the heavens. Giotto used linear perspective to force the viewer’s eyes to the focal point and then emphasized the mood with not only emotional expression, but physical movements.

Notice the positions of the different bystanders. Mary’s hands are limp with hopelessness and she cradles His head like a mother cradles her helpless child. John‘s hands are spread wide in bewilderment at what has just transpired. The other disciples with their hands folded or held close show their controlled stature yet convey anxiety and blank minds affected by tragedy. The angels’ various poses even give light to the different personalities revealed, leading to the coinciding reactions of each. The background, however simple it may be, plays a role in the piece that guides the eye. The rocky hill leads directly to the face of Christ and the dead tree at the top represents two hidden connections. One, the fact that the tree is dead obviously pertains to the even that has just occurred-Christ’s death. Two, the tree symbolizes the “tree” that He was just crucified upon. All of these visual elements increase the overall theme and when applied correctly, can convey the exact emotion desired by the artist. Giotto is truly an expert at capturing human emotion and in this piece, the Byzantine days are left behind and a new stage in art has been grasped!