A Guide to Italian Renaissance Art and Architecture

The Trecento

Giotto. Mary and the Dead Christ. Detail, Arena Chapel, Padua, circa 1305.

INDEX for Trecento Art and Architecture

Sources for the Trecento

Some documentary sources for the Trecento

• The Plague and Public Health in Renaissance Europe Everything you will ever want to know about the plague of 1348.
• Distinct Clones of Yersinia pestis Caused the Black Death. Latest theory (2010) on this. PDF file has the entire article.
• The Decameron Web Not just Boccaccio's 100 tales, but other pages devoted to history, society, arts, and more.

Art historical background for the Trecento

• Italian Romanesque Sculpture A site of its own.
• Medieval Art in Pisa Includes Quick-Time movies from the Leaning Tower. Now you don't have to climb those awful stairs!
• The Museum of San Matteo, Pisa Specializing in sculpture and painting of the twelfth to fifteenth centuries. Site is in Italian.
• Gothic architecture and art Images from AICT.
• Italian Renaissance Art of the 14th and 15th Centuries Outline of a course from Colorado College.

Gothic Sculpture

 
Andrea Pisano.  The Painter.  1337-1343.  Formerly,
Campanile, Duomo; now Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence.

Florence and Tuscany

Nicola Pisano (active circa 1250-1278)

• Nicola and Giovanni Pisano in Pisa From smarthistory.org
• Giorgio Vasari's Life of Nicola Pisano
• A selection of his sculpture.
• Pisa Baptistery. From Sacred Destinations. Rather a lot on the exterior design and decoration.
• From the Web Gallery of Art.
• The Pulpit in the Baptistry of Pisa. From Mary Ann Sullivan at Bluffton University.
• View of the Pulpit inside the Cathedral of Siena.
• Nicola's pulpit--a candid view.
• Nicola & Giovanni Pisano: The Pulpits. Abstract describing Anita Moscowitz's book of this title.
• The Fontana Maggiore in Perugia Keep clicking on the photos for larger views and more details. See also Giovanni Pisano site below for some other views of the Fontana Maggiore.
• Fontana Maggiore and other sculpture by Nicola. Includes a view of his relief sculptures for the Arca of St. Dominic.

Giovanni Pisano (circa 1250-1314)

• Giorgio Vasari's Life of Giovanni Pisano
• Giovanni Pisano (1250-1314). From the Encyclopedia of Irish and World Art. Good short overview.
• Henry Moore on Giovanni Pisano. From Michael Ayrton's biography of Giovanni (1969).
• A selection of his sculpture
• A selection of his sculpture From the Web Gallery of Art.
• Pulpits in Pistoia and Pisa 1301-11. Web Gallery of Art.
• Pulpit, Pisa Cathedral. From Mary Ann Sullivan, Bluffton University.
• Notes to Giovanni Pisano's Pistoia pulpit. By Peter Kovac. Published by Stavitele' Katedral--a Czech art history journal. Article is in both English and Czech.
• The Pulpit of Pistoia, church of Sant'Andrea Finished 1301.

Arnolfo di Cambio (ca. 1240-1302)

• Giorgio Vasari's Life of Anolfo di Cambio.
• Arnolfo di Cambio. From the Catholic Encyclopedia. Thomas Poole, 1907.
• Arnolfo di Cambio. From the Encyclopedia of Irish and World Art.
• A selection of his sculptures
• Sculptures outside of Rome. From the Web Gallery of Art.
• Ciborium in Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome.
• Ciborium San Paolo Fuori le Mura, Rome.
• St. Peter St Peter's Basilica, Rome. 1300 c.
• Tomb of Cardinal de Braye After 1282. San Domenico, Orvieto. From the Web Gallery of Art.
• The Presepio in Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
• Sculptures for the Cathedral of Florence, now in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence.
• Virgin of the Nativity from Santa Reparata Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence. From Mary Ann Sullivan.

• Felton L. Gibbons. "Arnolfo di Cambio Censing Angel." Annual Report. (Fogg Art Museum), No. 1956/1957: 18-24. From JSTOR.
• Julian Gardner. "The Tomb of Cardinal Annibaldi by Arnolfo di Cambio". The Burlington Magazine, Vol. 114, No. 828 (March 1972): 136-143. From JSTOR.
• Julian Gardner. "Arnolfo di Cambio and Roman Tomb Design". The Burlington MagazineThe Burlington Magazine, Vol. 115, No. 844 (July, 1973), pp. 136-143 , Vol. 115, No. 844 (July 1973): 420+422-439. From JSTOR.

Agostino di Giovanni (Siena, active 1325- 1349)

• Details of his tomb for Bishop Tarlati in Arezzo and for Cino di Pistoia in Pistoia
• Two views of the Tarlati tomb. From the Web Gallery of Art.
• Detail from the Tarlati monument.
• Detail from the Tarlati monument Arezzo, 1330.
• Monument to Cino da Pistoia Cathedral, Pistoia. About 1350. Detail: right.
• Madonna and Child with Angels Relief, c. 1335/1340. From the Detroit Institute of the Arts. Note that the DIA seems to have dropped the attribution.
• St. Ansanus (?) From the Louvre, Paris.
• Agostino di Giovanni and Agnolo di Ventura From the Courtauld Institute of Art, London.

Andrea Orcagna (1308-1368)

See also Painting.

• Giorgio Vasari's Life of Andrea Orcagna.
• ANDREA ORCAGNA (1308-1376). From Charles Yriarte's book, Florence, 1880.
• On Andrea Orcagna. From the Web Gallery of Art.
• Two sculptures From Thais.
• Tabernacle, Orsanmichele, Florence 1359.
• Andrea di Cione detto l'Orcagna. Some good photos of the Tabernacle and its sculpture. However, I must say that none of the photos show the great beauty of the cleaned and restored monument: the pure white marble combined with jewel-like colors of the enamels gives the impression of an enormous, lacy reliquary.
• Another view.
• Duomo of Orvieto Partially done by Orcagna, 1259.

Tino da Camaino (c. 1285-1337)

• A collection of his sculptures
• The Thais collection of his sculpture
• Charity Late 12th century. Now in the Museo Bardini, Florence.
• Tomb of Caterina d'Austria San Lorenzo Maggiore, Naples, c. 1323.
• Madonna and Child with Queen Sancia, Saints and Angels c. 1335. NGA, Washington.
• Angel from a Funerary Monument. "1330/1350." Cleveland Museum of Art.
• Tino has his own Facebook page!.

Andrea Pisano (active 1290-1349)

• Giorgio Vasari's Life of Andrea Pisano
• On Andrea Pisano. From the Catholic Encyclopedia.
• On Andrea Pisano. From the Encyclopedia Britannica, 1911 edition.
• View of the South Doors of the Baptistery of Florence.
• Reliefs on the South Doors of the Baptistery of Florence, 1330-1336. From Mary Ann Sullivan.
• Hope from the South Doors.
• Several of his sculptures now in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence
• A selection of his sculptures
• The Sculptural Reliefs on the Campanile, Florence. Begun about 1336.
• Andrea Pisano's Reliefs on the Campanile in Florence. Short video from smarthistory.org.

Nino Pisano (active circa 1349-1368)

• A short biography.
• A selection of his sculpture
• Tomb Monument to Doge Marco Cornaro, Ss Giovanni e Paolo, Venice Some sculptures by Nino Pisano. About 1368.
• Statues from the Campanile of Florence by Andrea and Nino Pisano and by Donatello. From Mary Ann Bluffton.

Siena and Orvieto

Lorenzo Maitani (circa 1255-1330)

• Lorenzo Maitani and precursors. Sculpture from the facade of the Duomo of Orvieto
• Lorenzo Maitani Details from the Cathedral of Orvieto. 1310-1330.
• Detail of the 'Tree of Life' relief.
• Bronze sculptures for the Cathedral of Orvieto.
• The Meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. From Orvieto.
• The Nativity From the Cathedral of Orvieto.
• Lorenzo Maitani Temptation of Adam and Eve, Cathedral of Orvieto.

Goro di Gregorio (Siena, active 1300-1334)

• A selection of his sculpture.
• Arca [tomb] of S. Carbone.
• Tomb of St. Cerbone 1324, Duomo, Massa Marittima.
• An Italian site on the arca.
• Detail: St. Cerbone before the Pope.
• St. Cerbone thrown to the (very cute) bears.
• Madonna degli Storpi. Messina, Museo Nazionale.

• Giorgio Vasari's Life of Jacopo della Quercia
• Jacopo della Quercia A short biography from the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911.
• The Sculpture of Jacopo della Quercia Huge site from the Web Gallery of Art.
• His sculpture From Thais.
• Tomb of Ilaria del Carretto. 1406/1407. Cathedral of Lucca.
• Detail of Ilaria.
• On the drawing for the Fonte Gaia.
• Siena Baptistery Font. Begun 1417. General view.
• Relief sculpture from the main portal of San Petronio Bologna, 1425-1438.

Rome and area

Pietro Oderisi (active c. 1260-1280)

• Tomb of Pope Clement IV, San Francesco, Viterbo Circa 1271.
• Another view of the tomb.

Venice

• View of some of the exterior sculpture of the Doges' Palace
• Sculpture from the Doges' Palace, Venice
• Doges' Palace: Adam and Eve

Verona

• San Zeno.
• Detail of the facade of San Zeno, showing scenes from Genesis and chivlaric combat between Theoderic and Odoacer.
• Bronze panel from one of the doors. 1123.
• Statue of San Zeno.
• Adam and Eve From a capital in the crypt of San Zeno. 10th century.
• Verona of the Scaligers Some historical background and images.
• View of the Scaliger tombs A print, probably mid-19th century.
• Another view.
• Impressive view of the Scala tombs near Santa Maria Antica, Verona
• Another view.
• Sculpture from San Zeno Twelfth century.
• Giovanni da Campione Tomb of Cangrande della Scala, Santa Maria Antica, Verona, circa 1333.
• Bonino da Campione Images of his monuments to Bernabo Visconti in Milan at the Castello Sforzesco (1363-1385) and to Cansignorio della Scala, Santa Maria Antica, Verona (1374).
• Sarcophagus of Federico Cavalli, Sant'Anastasia, c. 1390.

Naples

• Monument to Robert of Anjou, King of Sicily Santa Chiara, 1343-1345.

Milan and other locations

Giovanni da Balduccio (Pisa; active 1315-1349)

• A relief showing Charity. Now in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
• Madonna and Child c. 1332/1334. Detroit Institute of Arts.
• Relief showing the Annunciation. Before 1334. Santa Maria del Prato, San Casciano Val di Pesa.
• Relief showing St. Peter Martyr with three donors Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art; formerly on a tomb in Sant'Eustorgio, Milan.
• Giovanni da Balduccio Shrine of St. Peter Martyr, San Eustorgio, Milan, 1335-1339.
• Another view.

Jacobello dalle Masegne (active ca.1383-1409)

• Jacobello dalle Masegne His altarpiece for Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice, and a detail from the tomb of Giovanni da Legnano, San Domenico, Bologna (1383-1386).
• A Group of Students Listening to a Lecture Detail of the tomb of Giovanni da Legnano in Bologna, 1383-86.

Italian Gothic Architecture and Urbanism

General Sites for Italian Gothic architecture

• Biography of Philip Jones, historian of the medieval Italian city-state.
• The Medieval and Renaissance City Syllabus for a course at Pomona College, taught by Prof. George Gorse.
• Cities in History Syllabus of a course taught by Dr. Richard Ingersoll of Rice University.

Sorted by location, with religous architecture placed first within each group.

Abruzzo

L'Aquila

The movie "Ladyhawke" was filmed here.

• The Town of L'Aquila. History and sites of interest. English a bit dodgy but good photos.
• Historic L'Aquila reels from quake From the BBC.
• Tour of L'Aquila after the earthquakes.
• L'Aquila Photographs of the earthquake of April, 2009.
• L'Aquila: the earthquake damage.

Assisi and Umbria

Photos of Umbrian cities. Mainly architectural and landscape views of Assisi, Perugia, Todi, and Orvieto.

Assisi

• On Assisi and St. Francis.
• On St. Francis From the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1909.
• Brother Sun, Sister Moon A bit from Zeffirelli's 1972 film showing views of a medieval Italian city.
• Views of the upper and lower church of San Francesco, including exterior and interior views and the plan.
• Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites A UNESCO site.
• San Francesco, Assisi Some striking photos from a talented Japanese photographer.
• Brief but evocative view of the interior of the Upper Church.
• Homage to Assisi after the earthquake "Views of the city, San Francesco, and Santa Clara [sic]"
• Santa Chiara, Assisi. Begun 1257.
• Another view.
• Santa Chiara at sunset
• Rose Window at Santa Chiara.

Gubbio

• On Gubbio. From the Catholic Encyclopedia.
• On Gubbio. From the 1911 edition of the Ecyclopedia Britannica.
• Citta' di Gubbio Annotated map of the city.
• A view of Gubbio.
• Palazzo Pretorio.
• A street in Gubbio showing a medieval tower, complete with tree.
• San Francesco. Facade. Structure begun mid-13th century. Interior remodeled in the 18th century.
• San Francesco.
• Palazzo Ducale. Actually this is 15th century; supposedly designed and built by Francesco Laurana and finished by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, under the patronage of Duke Federigo da Montefeltro of Urbino.

Perugia

• On Perugia From the Catholic Encyclopedia.
• Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Begun (this version) 1300 by Fra Bevignate. View of the side towards the Fontana Maggiore.
• The Palazzo dei Priori. Begun 1293, completed 1443.
• View of the Fontana Maggiore with the Palazzo dei Priori in the background.
• A street.
• A Perugia view.
• Corso Vannucci.

Orvieto

For the sculpture on the facade of the Cathedral, see Lorenzo Maitani under Trecento Sculpture. For the San Brizio Chapel and Signorelli's frescoes, see (someday) Quattrocento Painting.

• View of Orvieto.
• Another view.
• Orvieto Cathedral. Begun by Arnolfo di Cambio, 1290-1580. From Great Buildings Online. Many images of details, exterior and interior.
• Extensive site on the Cathedral from Mary Ann Sullivan.
• The history of the Duomo Teeny photos, but a good representation of the art of the Duomo.
• The Cathedral facade.
• The Cathedral from an angle.
• The other side of the Cathedral.
• Cathedral interior.
• Another Cathedral interior view.
• Aerial view.
• Cathedral from a distance.
• A street in Orvieto.
• Houses.
• Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Built 1160.
• Aerial view.
• Palazzo Soliano (aka Papal Palace). Begun 1297.

Spoleto

• On Spoleto. From the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911.
• An aerial view of the town.
• View of Cathedral (Santa Maria Assunta) exterior.
• Closer to the Cathedral.
• Interior.
• Santa Eufemia. Early 12th century.
• Apse of Santa Eufemia.
• Interior of Santa Eufemia.
• San Ponziano 12th century; oldest church in Spoleto.
• Interior The apse.
• Interior, San Ponziano. This is the crypt.
• La Rocca Albornoziana. Built 1359.
• Well in the courtyard of La Rocca Albornoziana.
• Street view in Spoleto.
• A small street

Todi

• On Todi. From the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1912.
• On Todi. From the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici dell'Umbria. Concentrates on the ancient city. Links to other Umbrian cities.
• A view of the city.
• The main square. Showing the Palazzo del Capitano,
• A street.
• The Duomo. Rebuilt in 1190.
• Interior of the Duomo.

Tuscany

Arezzo

• On Arezzo. From the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911.
• Piazza Grande.
• Palazzo Communale.
• S. Maria della Pieve : exterior. A print.
• S. Maria della Pieve : interior.
• S. Francesco : interior.

Cortona

• On Cortona. From the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
• Short video showing highlights of the city.
• Eremo Le Celle. Begun 1211 by St. Francis of Assisi, whose cell you can visit.
• Detail with the door of St. Francis's cell.
• San Francesco. Begun 1245 by Brother Elia, friend of St. Francis. This is the second Franciscan church built, after the Basilica in Assisi. Both buildings are by Brother Elia.
• Interior of San Francesco. Note addition of a few late Renaissance altars.
• Church of San Domenico Begun c. 1391.
• San Domenico.
• Interior of San Domenico.
• Palazzo Communale. 13th century.
• Palazzo Casali
• Aerial view of the center of the city.
• A street in Cortona.

Florence

• Churches and religous art of Florence A large section on architecture.
• Baptistery Eleventh century.
• Another view of the Baptistery

• San Miniato al Monte Early eleventh century. Exterior and interior.
• San Miniato al Monte Several details of the exterior and a link to another site.

• Santa Maria Novella Begun before 1246; facade by Alberti dates to 1470.
• Frescoes in the Strozzi Chapel, S. Maria Novella, Florence By Filippino Lippi; completed in 1502.
• Santa Croce Begun 1294/1295. Arnolfo di Cambio. View of the facade (19th century).
• Santa Croce The nave.

• The Duomo Two exterior views.
• Duomo: a collection of photos.
• Statues for the Florence Cathedral.
• Ponte Vecchio Mid-fourteenth century.
• Palazzo Vecchio 1299-1310.
• Palazzo Davanzati Mid-fourteenth century. Exterior.
• Palazzo Davanzati Mid-fourteenth century. Interior.

Lucca

Pisa

• Pisa Several handsome photos of the Cathedral, the Camposanto, and the sculpture. Text in English.
• The Pisa Cathedral Complex
• Camposanto and interior of the Duomo
• Pisa Looking towards the Church complex.
• Pisa Piazza dei Miracoli.
• View of the Cathedral Complex from above
• Pisa Baptistery A model you can "open."
• Pisa Baptistery Inside.
• Pisa Batistery and a detail of the upper arcade.
• Pisa Cathedral Inside.
• Pisa Inside the Camposanto.
• Pisa Views of the Triumph of Death. Take a visual spin around the Camposanto!

Pistoia

• The Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte Mid-fourteenth century; sometimes given to Giovanni Pisano.

San Gimignano

• 'Historic Centre of San Gimignano'. a UNESCO site.
• View of San Gimignano, showing the many surviving towers.
• The Collegiata. This building consecrated in 1148; later work in the mid-15th century.
• Sant'Agostino. 13th century. A view of the interior.

Siena

• Palazzo Pubblico
• Cathedral Lower level by Giovanni Pisano: 1249-1320; upper level 1369-1377.
• The Cathedral of Siena View from the north.
• Cathedral facade, detail
• The Pulpit by Nicola Pisano.
• The unfinished nave

Venice and Its Cities

Padua

• On the history of the Basilica

Venice

• Basilica of San Marco Begun ninth century; rebuilt 1063-1094 and later.
• San Marco: Main Portal Mosaic is nineteenth century.
• San Marco: Interior looking east
• Ss Giovanni e Paolo. View from the west Building 1333-1390; facade 1430.
• Ss Giovanni e Paolo Main facade.
• Ss Giovanni e Paolo: Main Portal
• Ss Giovanni e Paolo. Interior. Begun 1260.
• Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari 1330-1417.
• Doge's Palace Circa 1340-1404; enlarged from 1424.
• Doge's Palace Another view.
• Ca d'Oro Exterior. Begun 1421.
• Ca d'Oro Detail of exterior.

Verona

• San Zeno. Facade Eight to thirteenth centuries.
• San Zeno Maggiore. Interior
• San Zeno Maggiore: the Cloisters