Giotto, Angiolotto

Giotto, Angiolotto (called Ambrogiotto and Giotto di Bondone), a famous ancient Italian painter and architect, was born at Vespignano, near Florence, in 1276. One of his earliest works is a picture of The Annunciation, which is considered very beautiful. He was highly honored, and his works were in great demand. The noble families of Verona, Milan, Ravenna, Urbino, and Bologna were eager to possess his works. In 1316 he was. employed at Padua to paint the chapel of the Nunziata all Arena. In l325 he was invited to Naples by king Robert, to paint the Church of Santa Chiara, which he decorated with subjects from the New Test. and the Mysteries of the Apocalypse. He was also distinguished in the art of mosaic, and executed the famous Death of the Virgin, at Florence. As an architect he erected the bell-tower of Santa Maria del Fiore. He died at Florence, Jan. 8,1336. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.; Spooner, Biog. Hist. of the Fine Arts, s.v.