Duccio's and Giotto's "Nativity"

Paper Summary:

This paper compares and contrasts the subtleties of Duccio's and Giotto's paintings, "Nativity." The paper focuses on how each artist paints the same image, Christ's birth in a manger, but uses different artistic techniques to convey different meanings to the viewer. It discusses their subject matter, spacing, color and line usage and compares how these techniques are used differently by each artist.

From the Paper:

"In Nativity, Duccio and Giotto are clearly depicting identical subject matter, however the statement each makes is different. Giotto instills in the viewer a sense of peace and serenity, while Duccio creates a busy, frenetic atmosphere. Certainly both artists had the same deference for the Baby Jesus and certainly both accepted him as the Messiah. Nativity is a perfect example of how artists can portray the same scene while evoking a completely different response from the viewer. Giotto conveys to the viewer that the arrival of Jesus on Earth is a relief to all who believe. A consequent sense of tranquility and repose is imposed upon the viewer. Duccio on the other hand has chosen to focus on the magnitude of the Messiah's arrival. Duccio's uses of artistic techniques convey to the viewer that this is indeed the most significant event in human history. While depicting the same subject matter, Giotto and Duccio evoke different responses from the viewer. This is done through the use of different artistic techniques, such as the use of subject matter, spacing, color, and lines."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Columbia World of Quotations. Copyright (c) 1996 Columbia University Press

More papers on Duccio's and Giotto's "Nativity":

• Book Review # 130071 : "Relationships between Native and Non-Native in Early Colonial Canada"
• Research Paper # 145260 : "The Effects of the Fur Trade on the European Colony and the Native Society"
• Essay # 87348 : "Native and Non-native Tensions in Canada"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: