Datei:Renunciation of Wordly Goods lk.jpg

(b. 1267, Vespignano, d. 1337, Firenze)

Legend of St Francis: 5. Renunciation of Wordly Goods 1297-99 Fresco, 270 x 230 cm Upper Church, San Francesco, Assisi

This is the fifth of the twenty-eight scenes (twenty-five of which were painted by Giotto) of Legend of Saint Francis.

This scene gives an opportunity to examine one of the most important of Giotto's innovations. Although the mastery of the method of representing the third dimension is of fundamental importance, there are other innovations which are no less significant to the development of Western painting. Among these must be included the use of eloquent gesture, the communication of strong emotions through attitude and facial expression, In the Renunciation of Worldly Goods, St Francis' father expresses his anger in his grimace, in his gesture of lifting the hem of his gown (as if he were about to dash at his son), and in his clenched fist; the effect is heightened by the gesture of his friend, who holds him back by the arm. Within the limits of the dignity and self-restraint that Giotto impresses on all his characters, the father's anger is expressed clearly and vividly.

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Author: GIOTTO di Bondone Title: Legend of St Francis: 5. Renunciation of Wordly Goods Time-line: 1301-1350 School: Italian Form: painting