Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 6: Gothic - The Miracle of the Spring (1299)

by Giotto

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's movement.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

In 1299, Giotto di Bondone created the Gothic/Proto-Renaissance fresco, 'The Miracle of the Spring.' This work is the fourteenth of twenty-eight frescoes capturing the Legend of Saint Francis of Assisi. The frescoes are located in lower part of the nave of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy. Giotto advanced beyond typical Gothic-style painting of the times, moving toward Renaissance-style artwork. Giotto may have been a pupil of Cimabue (this is disputed), and his work eclipsed that of Cimabue. 'The Miracle of the Spring' depicts the story of the journey of St. Francis to the Monte la Verna monastery. During the trip, a peasant becomes parched and pleads for water. St. Francis prays to God for help, and a spring of water bubbles up from the rocks. 'The Miracle of the Spring' shows a haloed St. Francis praying to God, the peasant drinking water from the spring, and two Franciscans standing next to a donkey.

Vocabulary

Proto-Renaissance: Preceding the Renaissance period.
Fresco: An artwork made by applying water-based pigment to wet or fresh lime mortar or plaster.
St. Francis: A saint of the Catholic church and founder of the Franciscan religious order, associated with caring for animals and the environment.
Spring: A place where water or oil emerges from the ground.
Franciscan: A monk or nun belonging to the religious order founded by St Francis of Assisi.
Habit: A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Gothic
2. Timeline - 12th century to the 16th century

Movement Characteristics:

1. Use of Gold Tones to Depict Royalty, the Heavenly, and the Holy ('Ognissanti Madonna' by Giotto in 1306)

2. Subjects Become More Animated and Lifelike ('The Miracle of the Child Falling from the Balcony' by Simone Martini circa 1328)

3. Artwork Expresses Emotion (Tenderness in 'Madonna with Child' by Cimabue between 1283-1284)

4. Three-Dimensional Paintings Showing Depth, Height, and Width

5. Frescoes ('Dancing Peasants' in Härkeberga Church, Sweden by Albertus Pictor circa 1480)

6. Stained Glass ('The Virgin and Child' by Master of Klosterneuburg in 1335)

7. Decorated Manuscripts (Heures de Jeanne d'Evreux by Jean Pucelle between 1325-1328)

8. Gothic Altarpieces and Panel Paintings (Mérode Altarpiece, 'The Annunciation,' by Robert Campin circa 1427-1432)

9. Gothic Monumental Sculptures ('Martyrs Statues' from the Chartres Cathedral circa 13th century)

10. Gothic Portable Sculptures ('Casket with Scenes of Romances' between 1330 and 1350)

Gothic Movement Subjects:

1. Biblical Subjects Still Common ('The Last Supper' by Cimabue circa 1280s)

2. The Virgin Mary ('Madonna and Child' by Jaume Huguet circa 1450)

3. The Saints' Lives ('Saint Michael, Martyrdom of Saint Eulalia and Saint Catherine' by Bernat Martorell between 1442-1445)

4. Rise of Secular Subjects ('Guidoriccio da Fogliano at the Siege of Montemassi' by Simone Martini in 1328)

Gothic Architecture:

1. Taller, Lighter, and Stronger Buildings (Salisbury Cathedral in England)

2. Flying Buttresses (Notre Dame (English - Our Lady) in Paris, France)

3. 6-Part Rib Vaults (The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro in Cornwall, England)

4. Pointed Arch (Notre Dame in Paris, France)

5. Rose Window (Notre Dame in Paris, France)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Saint Francis of Assisi
• Peasant
• Two Franciscans
• Franciscan Habits
• Donkey
• Spring
• Someone Praying
• Someone Thirsty
• Saddle
• Reins
• Halo

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: View Assisi, Italy

• Saint Francis was born in Assisi, Italy.
• Study the landscape view of Assisi, Italy.

Activity 4: Map the Artwork

Zoom in to find the city of Terni, Italy. Assisi is a bit north of Terni.

Activity 5: Classify the Artwork

• This artwork belongs to the Gothic art movement.
• Find the Gothic art movement on the timeline.
• During which (estimated) years did the Gothic art movement flourish?
• Which art movement preceded the Gothic art movement?
• Which art movement followed the Gothic art movement?

Activity 6: Color a Gothic Rose Window   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 9 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 6

Answer 1

The characters are Saint Francis of Assisi, two of his Franciscans, and a peasant.

1 / 6

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 6

Answer 2

The setting is outdoors in a rocky, dry area of Italy.

2 / 6

Question 3

Why is this artwork called 'The Miracle of the Spring?'

3 / 6

Answer 3

'The Miracle of the Spring' shows St. Francis praying to God on behalf of a thirsty peasant and a spring of water bubbling up from the ground.

3 / 6

Question 4

To which western art movement does this artwork belong?

4 / 6

Answer 4

This painting belongs to the Gothic art movement.

4 / 6

Question 5

Which elements of the artwork characterize the Gothic art movement?

5 / 6

Answer 5

The artwork has more depth than Romanesque works, the characters are more lifelike and animated, and it features a miracle granted to a Catholic saint.

5 / 6

Question 6

During which century did the artist create this artwork?

6 / 6

Answer 6

Giotto created this fresco in the 13th century.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Saint Francis of Assisi, two of his Franciscans, and a peasant.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is outdoors in a rocky, dry area of Italy.
3. Why is this artwork called 'The Miracle of the Spring?' 'The Miracle of the Spring' shows St. Francis praying to God on behalf of a thirsty peasant and a spring of water bubbling up from the ground.
4. To which western art movement does this artwork belong? This painting belongs to the Gothic art movement.
5. Which elements of the artwork characterize the Gothic art movement? The artwork has more depth than Romanesque works, the characters are more lifelike and animated, and it features a miracle granted to a Catholic saint.
6. During which century did the artist create this artwork? Giotto created this fresco in the 13th century.

References

'Gothic art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Giotto.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.