ملف:Giotto - Legend of St Francis - -13- - Institution of the Crib at Greccio.jpg

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

Legend of St Francis: 13. Institution of the Crib at Greccio 1297-1300 Fresco, 270 x 230 cm Upper Church, San Francesco, Assisi

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

In many respects the Institution of the Crib at Greccio is one of the most interesting scenes in the cycle. It is set inside the church, viewed from the presbytery, in front of the transept that divides the presbytery from the nave. As women were not permitted to enter the presbytery, they are shown here looking on from the doorway of the transept. Everything in the church is seen from behind: the pulpit with its lighted candles; the table base of the lectern, on which is placed the antiphonary, or book of responses, of the four singing friars; the tabernacle in the style of Amolfo di Cambio, decorated with Christmas garlands above the altar; and the cross, which leans towards the nave, its wooden backing and supporting structure clearly visible, something unheard-of at the time. In this scene, too, many of the figures have been executed somewhat mechanically by Giotto's assistants (especially the heads of the priests and of the acolytes standing behind them on the right), though the greatly expressive, lifelike figures of the singing friars are among the best in the whole St Francis cycle.

• • • Keywords: *************

Author: GIOTTO di Bondone Title: Legend of St Francis: 13. Institution of the Crib at Greccio Time-line: 1301-1350 School: Italian Form: painting