Giotto began his apprenticeship with Cimabue between the ages of ten and fourteen. A trip to Rome presumably rounded off the young painter's training, after which he followed his master to what was at that time the largest "building site" in Italy, the church of San Francesco in Assisi.
There, Cimabue was in charge of the decoration of the newly erected Upper Church. When he left Assisi to fulfil other obligations, several of his assistants and journeymen, including Giotto, stayed behind. At the same time, Roman painters, led by Jacopo Torriti, arrived in Assisi, so that several studio groups were working alongside one another. A short time later, Giotto became the independent leader of a workshop, and the Franciscan order assigned him the task of continuing with the decoration.
Reproductions of the frescoes in the Upper Church are listed in the Web Gallery of Art in sections of Cimabue, Giotto, Jacopo Torriti, Master of Saint Cecilia, Master of the Isaac Stories, and Unknown Italian Masters.
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View of the Church of San Francesco established in 1228 Photo Convent of San Francesco, Assisi |
True Color 139 Kb |
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Summary of paintings by Giotto |
Frescoes in San Francesco, Assisi |
Upper Church: Legend of St Francis | New Testament scenes | Lower Church |
Frescoes in Arena Chapel, Padua |
Life of Joachim | Life of Virgin | Life of Christ | Angels | Heads Last Judgment | Heads Vault frescoes | Virtues and Vices | Decorative elements |
Frescoes in Santa Croce, Florence |
Frescoes in Peruzzi Chapel | Frescoes in Bardi Chapel |
Panel paintings |
Crucifix | Maestŕ and others | Polyptych panels | Stefaneschi Altarpiece | Baroncelli Polyptych |
Miscellaneous works |
Navicella mosaic | Campanile of the Florence Cathedral |