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Art

Introduction

Art is as old as human existence. Human beings have consistently tried to express themselves

through the work of art. An examination of art thereby is likely to reveal the key ideas that

existed at the time of its creation. One of the key works of art is The Lamentation of Christ by

Giotto Di Bondone. The Lamentation of Christ shows several figures around the figure of Jesus

Christ who is lying lifeless on the ground. A woman, presumed to be Mary, the mother of Jesus,

is holding his head (Graham 82). Apart from Mary, there are three other women hunched around

the body of Jesus. There are other people standing looking at the body of Jesus. Lastly, in the

sky, winged figures, most probably angels, are hovering around the body. Like many artworks,

The Lamentations of Christ was informed by artistic movement as well as religious and

philosophical concepts. In this paper, the artistic movement and concepts that influenced this art

work are analysed.

Historical context of The Lamentations of Christ

The Lamentations of Christ was created between 1304 and 1306. A number of events took place

during this period. Notable among them is the kidnapping of Pope Boniface VIII by Guillaume

de Nogaret, an emissary of Phillip IV of France, who beat up the pope. The pope later died of his
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injuries. An examination of the painting does not indicate that it was influenced by any event.

Rather, it can be simply be a religious work of art. This is particularly the case considering that

the painting was done in the interior wall of the Scrovegni Chapel in Italy. It is possible that

Giotto was commissioned by the church to do this painting. During this period, the church was

involved significantly with artists and this is reflected in the many works of arts by many

renowned artists done in churches around Europe.

Artistic movement

The Lamentations of Christ was influenced by renaissance art movement. The renaissance art

movement was marked by a shift from the abstract art forms that were prevalent in the medieval

period to the representational forms of art. The focus of artists during the Renaissance period was

to depict real life objects in their art work (Schroeder and Janet 153). There was rise in interest

among artists in nature, humanistic learning, and individualism. The artworks developed during

this period were something that humans could relate to and even some cases even evoke certain

emotions among those that came in contact with them.

In general, the characteristics of the renaissance movement include renewed passion for

learning, humanism, rebirth of naturalism, and secularism. During this period, there was a

positive willingness to learn and explore. This was true even among artists who constantly

explored the world and all aspects of nature and put them in art form. This led to new art and

more sophisticated artworks (Schroeder and Janet 156). With regard to humanism, the

renaissance period was characterized by the belief the in the nobility of human beings.

Humanists were of view that human beings were created many abilities and potentials and

explore these potentials one has to act in a dignified manner.

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The rebirth of naturalism in the renaissance period of art is where artists focused on

depicting objects in natural settings. This is evident in the Lamentations of Christ painting. For

example, the painting depicts the sky, trees, and the ground which are all natural objects

(Schroeder and Janet 160). The reason for focus on naturalism among artists during this period

was to ensure that people could easily relate to their works. For example, Jesus being depicted as

a human being with family and friends in the Lamentations of Christ painting makes it possible

for people to feel sad and most probably sympathize with him. It also makes people to appreciate

to sacrifice Jesus made, that is dying on the cross for the sake of human beings (Graham 87).

Lastly, secularism became a common theme among artists during the renaissance. Secularism

was a departure from predominantly religious themes in artwork to general themes about human

life. Artists began developing artworks that reflect the general human life and the day to day

events.

 Philosophical, moral, or religious concepts that informed the artwork

The religious concept that informed Lamentation as an artwork is the crucifixion, suffering, and

death of Jesus Christ. In the bible, it is indicated that Jesus Christ was beaten, crucified, and died

in order to save mankind from sin. This painting captures this sacrifice that Jesus made (Graham

85). It depicts Jesus as a human being with family and people who were close to him and who

suffered because of his death. The painting shows people around Jesus mourning. This is

probably aimed to reinforce the sacrifice made by Jesus for the sake of mankind and possibly

why this was not easy not only for him but also people close to him.

Another religious concept that may have informed the artwork is the divinity of Jesus

Christ and those close to him. In the painting, there is an aura around the head of Jesus Christ,
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Mary his mother, the other women leaning towards the body of Christ, and the three men

standing some distance from the body. These three men are possibly some of his disciples. The

aura around Jesus Christ and those close to him could have been included as a way of depicting

their holiness (Graham 92). This could be true considering that not all individuals in the painting

have the aura around their heads. For example, the two women sitting near the body of Jesus

with their faces not visible do not have the aura around their heads. These are likely followers of

Jesus. However, since they were not immediate family members and possibly individuals

personally selected by Jesus to be his disciples, they could not share in his holiness.

The moral concept that informed the painting is love. In this painting, Giotto is keen to

depict the deep love Jesus has for mankind. The raw emotions in the painting, emotions of

sorrow for those close to Jesus, shows that Jesus must have loved mankind so much to the extent

of choosing to die for their sins even when this would have brought sorrow to those close to him

(Graham 101). Love is also depicted in the painting through the sorrow of those close to Jesus.

The mourning of those in the painting is a testament of the deep love they had for Jesus. They

mourned his death despite possibly knowing that he had to die in order to save mankind.

Conclusion

Basically, one of the key arts of work is The Lamentation of Jesus Christ. This painting was

developed during the renaissance period. In art, this was a period characterised by secularism,

humanism, and willingness to learn. The painting is mainly religious in nature since it depicts the

death of Jesus. However, since it is informed by renaissance philosophy, it presents a realistic

situation following the death of Christ and this is people close to him to him mourning. It is an

emotional situation that is aimed to underline the great sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for the
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sake of mankind and the great love he had for human beings. He willingly chose to die despite

the suffering that would come with it.

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Works Cited

Graham, Heather. "Compassionate suffering: somatic selfhood and gendered affect in Italian

lamentation imagery." Visualizing sensuous suffering and affective pain in early modern

Europe and the Spanish Americas. Brill, 2017. 82-115.

Schroeder, Jonathan E., and Janet L. Borgerson. "Innovations in information technology:

Insights from Italian Renaissance art." Consumption, Markets and Culture 5.2 (2002):

153-169.