Western Art Movements I Art Movements    

Lesson 7: Gothic - Guidoriccio da Fogliano at the Siege of Montemassi (1330)

by Simone Martini

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's movement.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

The circa 1330 fresco 'Guidoriccio da Fogliano at the Siege of Montemassi,' provides an example of secular art during the Gothic period. Although traditionally attributed to Simone Martini, the identity of the artist is currently in dispute. This fresco depicts the Sienese commander, Guidoriccio da Fogliano, riding and holding a baton before the siege of Montemassi, Italy. The far left shows the castle of Montemassi encircled by ramparts, in the center is a siege engine topped with a white and black flag, and to the right are groups of tents also flying white and black flags. At the bottom, the number MCCC.XX.VIII stands for 1328, the date of Fogliano's conquest of Montemassi.

Vocabulary

Siege: A prolonged military assault or a blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or the wearing or grinding down of the inhabitants over time.
Sienese: Native or inhabitant of Siena in central Italy.
Rampart: A defensive wall or bank around a castle, fort or settlement.
Baton: A type of club weapon.
Siege Engine: A machine developed to break down heavy doors or thick walls during a siege.

Concepts

Featured Movement:

1. Name - Gothic
2. Timeline - 12th century to the 16th century

Movement Characteristics:

1. Use of Gold Tones to Depict Royalty, the Heavenly, and the Holy ('Ognissanti Madonna' by Giotto in 1306)

2. Subjects Become More Animated and Lifelike ('The Miracle of the Child Falling from the Balcony' by Simone Martini circa 1328)

3. Artwork Expresses Emotion (Tenderness in 'Madonna with Child' by Cimabue between 1283-1284)

4. Three-Dimensional Paintings Showing Depth, Height, and Width

5. Frescoes ('Dancing Peasants' in Härkeberga Church, Sweden by Albertus Pictor circa 1480)

6. Stained Glass ('The Virgin and Child' by Master of Klosterneuburg in 1335)

7. Decorated Manuscripts (Heures de Jeanne d'Evreux by Jean Pucelle between 1325-1328)

8. Gothic Altarpieces and Panel Paintings (Mérode Altarpiece, 'The Annunciation,' by Robert Campin circa 1427-1432)

9. Gothic Monumental Sculptures ('Martyrs Statues' from the Chartres Cathedral circa 13th century)

10. Gothic Portable Sculptures ('Casket with Scenes of Romances' between 1330 and 1350)

Gothic Movement Subjects:

1. Biblical Subjects Still Common ('The Last Supper' by Cimabue circa 1280s)

2. The Virgin Mary ('Madonna and Child' by Jaume Huguet circa 1450)

3. The Saints' Lives ('Saint Michael, Martyrdom of Saint Eulalia and Saint Catherine' by Bernat Martorell between 1442-1445)

4. Rise of Secular Subjects ('Guidoriccio da Fogliano at the Siege of Montemassi' by Simone Martini in 1328)

Gothic Architecture:

1. Taller, Lighter, and Stronger Buildings (Salisbury Cathedral in England)

2. Flying Buttresses (Notre Dame (English - Our Lady) in Paris, France)

3. 6-Part Rib Vaults (The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro in Cornwall, England)

4. Pointed Arch (Notre Dame in Paris, France)

5. Rose Window (Notre Dame in Paris, France)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• Guidoriccio da Fogliano
• Montemassi
• White and Black Flags
• Army Tents
• Baton
• Ramparts
• Castle
• Siege Engine (Stone-Throwing Machine)

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Study Siege Engines

• Siege engines were used to knock down heavy castle doors or protective walls.
• Types of siege engines included stone-throwing machines and battering rams.
• Study a closeup of the stone-throwing machine from the artwork. Note the basket on a rope for holding the stone.

• Study the image of a battering ram. Why did the soldiers build a roof on the top of it?

• Compare and contrast the risks and rewards of using the stone-throwing machine and the battering ram.
• If you were a commander, leading a siege, which would you rather use and why?

Activity 4: Map the Artwork

Zoom in to find the location of Grosseto, Italy. Montemassi is a bit north of Grosseto.

Activity 5: Classify the Artwork

• This artwork belongs to the Gothic art movement.
• Find the Gothic art movement on the timeline.
• During which (estimated) years did the Gothic art movement flourish?
• Which art movement preceded the Gothic art movement?
• Which art movement followed the Gothic art movement?

Activity 6: Recreate the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 10 of 'Fourth Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 6

Answer 1

The characters are Sienese commander, Guidoriccio da Fogliano and his army and the village inhabitants of Montemassi, Italy.

1 / 6

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 6

Answer 2

The setting is outdoors near the village of Montemassi, Italy.

2 / 6

Question 3

Why is this artwork called 'Guidoriccio da Fogliano at the Siege of Montemassi?'

3 / 6

Answer 3

The artwork shows the commander Guidoriccio da Fogliano and his troops keeping Montemassi, Italy under siege.

3 / 6

Question 4

To which western art movement does this artwork belong?

4 / 6

Answer 4

This painting belongs to the Gothic art movement.

4 / 6

Question 5

Which elements of the artwork characterize the Gothic art movement?

5 / 6

Answer 5

The artwork has more depth than Romanesque works, the characters are more lifelike and animated, and it features a secular subject.

5 / 6

Question 6

During which century did the artist create this artwork?

6 / 6

Answer 6

The artist created this artwork in the 14th century.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are Sienese commander, Guidoriccio da Fogliano and his army and the village inhabitants of Montemassi, Italy.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is outdoors near the village of Montemassi, Italy.
3. Why is this artwork called 'Guidoriccio da Fogliano at the Siege of Montemassi?' The artwork shows the commander Guidoriccio da Fogliano and his troops keeping Montemassi, Italy under siege.
4. To which western art movement does this artwork belong? This painting belongs to the Gothic art movement.
5. Which elements of the artwork characterize the Gothic art movement? The artwork has more depth than Romanesque works, the characters are more lifelike and animated, and it features a secular subject.
6. During which century did the artist create this artwork? The artist created this artwork in the 14th century.

References

'Gothic art.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Simone Martini.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Siege Machine.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Guidoriccio da Fogliano at the siege of Montemassi.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.