I would like to tell of two of my favorite painters, who I recently (2013) discovered, and who I believe may be the greatest visual storytellers of all time- the great Italian proto-Rennaisance masters from around 1300, Duccio from Sienna and Giotto from Florence. I have known Giotto's name for a long time without knowing his work- mostly talk of his reputation. Duccio I had never heard of. Their paintings are incredible- realistic, expressive, with fantastic settings, but most of all heartfelt, emotionally charged stories that speak to you directly and intimately, but on a wide-screen, grand scope. Just image-search Duccio or Giotto and many of their works will come up. An earlier master, Cimabue, created the proto-Rennaisance style as Duccio and Giotto were just coming up, painting figures who speak directly and intimately with us with a look, but Duccio and Giotto went much further, as great storytellers. Most of the works you will find will be from the serieses of paintings that are their masterworks, and perhaps the greatest visual storytelling ever, even beyond the movie Avatar- Giotto's Arena Chapel Frescoes and Duccio's Maesta, a huge wooden alterpiece with dozens of smaller paintings (like maybe two feet square or a little larger) as well as the great central Maesta. Both tell the story of Jesus and the many events in His life, from before birth to enthronement in Heaven- the subject of Duccio's central Maesta, which is the word for an enthroned Christ Child and Virgin Mary being adored by saints and angels. These two collective works are the equivalent of the two greatest movies or novels ever made, and you can tell it came from deep within the artists' hearts. Each individual painting is like a great short story. I have always been moved deeply by their works, especially from the Arena Chapel and Maesta. Giotto's paintings have a sweeter look, while Duccio's have a grittier look, and both are glorious- you can almost forget it in the powerful emotion, but both artists' paintings are visually stunning. If you are not Christian or have had bad experiences with radical Christians, trust me when I say that all major religions are equally correct, each one a way God has chosen to show us His (or Her) love for us. Jesus died for all of us, not just Christians. Including Atheists- God loves you too! And even if you know the Gospels well, you will marvel and be moved at what He and His servants did for us, as told by Duccio and Giotto. These works have moved me so that I had to spread the word. You will not regret it. God bless you all.
David S. Annderson