Chimabue Vs Giotto

True to it's common characteristics, Chimabue's "Enthroned Madonna and Child" stays loyal to the style of Italo-Byzantine art. Giotto's "Ognissanti Madonna" however, in some key areas, strays away from the conventional techniques of the style.

Chimabue's approach to composition in the artwork "Enthroned Madonna and Child" was extremely confirmative to the time period. He made use of the medieval heiracy of scale, making Mary and baby Jesus much larger than other figures, therefore making them the focal point of the painting. This was to emphasize their importance. They are also placed centrally on the painting, again to direct the eye towards them and to show their importance as the subject of the painting. The layout is very symmetrical, with even amounts of figures (the angels) on each side, all facing towards Mary and child. These angels are "stacked" which looks unrealistic and doesn't achieve convincing depth. Underneath, there are 4 saints, also symmetrically placed; one saint under the left and right column, and two in the middle. In the throne, there is an impressive attempt at 3D form. All of the mentioned features