CIMABUE

Cimabue: translation

(Cenni di Pepi; active c. 1272-1302)

Considered the leading painter of theFlorentineSchool in the 13th century, and the one to have brought theManiera Grecastyle to its highest refinement.Cimabue(dehorner of oxen) was a nickname he received as a result of his supposed aggressive disposition. TheEnthroned Madonna and Child(c. 1280; Florence,Uffizi) painted for the Church of Santa Trinità, Florence, is usually attributed to the artist. Thealtarpiecestands out from others of the period in its monumental scale (at the time, the largest altarpiece ever created) and the attempt to construct a three-dimensional space around the figures.Cimabue is documented inRomein 1272, where he must have seen Early Christian and medieval examples that may have inspired his monumental panel. TwoCrucifixions, one at San Domenico in Arezzo (c. 1280) and the other atSanta Croce, Florence (c. 1287-1288), are also attributed to him. In these examples, theapronis filled with decorative patterning, rather than the usual figures or narratives, which places all focus on the crucified Christ. Sometime after 1279, Cimabue went to Assisi to work on thefrescoesofSan Francesco, which the church built to mark the burial site ofSt.Francis. In theapse, he painted the life of theVirginand in thetransepttwo crucifixions, anApocalypse, and episodes from the lives of Sts.PeterandPaul(attributed to Cimabue's assistants). These frescoes are heavily damaged, mainly due to the oxidation of the white lead paint the artist used. In spite of this, one can still appreciate Cimabue's desire to move toward greater realism and emotional content. In particular, theCrucifixionon the left transept shows intense drama, underscored by the windswept draperies of the figures and their poignant gestures.