Cimabue

Cimabue (pronounced "chee-mah-BOO-eh") clung to Byzantine tradition while beginning to usher in a more naturalistic style in Italian painting. Think of "Cimabue's Byzantine Blues":

• Byzantine Influence: Gold backgrounds, elongated figures, hierarchical scale (important figures are larger).
• Emerging Naturalism: He attempted to create a sense of depth and volume in his figures, a departure from the flatter Byzantine style. Faces display slight, but groundbreaking, emotionality.
• Key Themes: Primarily religious subjects – Madonnas, crucifixions, and saints.

Essentially, Cimabue acted as a bridge, bringing a touch of life to the rigid, symbolic world of Byzantine art. He was the "See-me-boo!" as he was an artist to pay attention to.