Family Ties

In the world of art, artists tend to run in clans. Will Smith's family is full of rising actors and singers, the Cyrus's all enjoy to be in the spotlight, and there is even an art to the Kardashian family. Back in 13th-century Italy, there was another family full of artistic talent--the Pisano family. Nicola Pisano was a famous sculpture whose work shows a clear interest in classical forms. Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II encouraged a revival of the past glory of Rome, which inspired artists. Nicola Pisano was one of these artists. He studied in Sicily or southern Italy before moving north and settling into Pisa--an excellent profitable commissions.

The pulpit of Pisa Cathedral baptistery is perhaps one of Nicola Pisano's most famous works. The pulpit shows lingering of medieval traditions: the trilobed arches and the lions that support some of the columns. Rather than employ only medieval elements, Nicola also integrated many classical components too. He added Gothic variations of the Corinthian capital, rounded arches, and large rectangular panels of relief.

In one panel, titled The Annunciation and the Nativity, densely packed large-scale figures resemble the composition of panels on Roman sarcophagi. The way that Mary is reclined is similar to the lid figures on both Etruscan and Roman sarcophagi. The faces, the beards, the hair styles, and the drapery are all clearly inspired by Roman relief sculpture. The bulk and weight of the figures also connect Nicola Pisano's representation to classical reliefs.

Nicola Pisano's son also happened to be a sculptor, and he created a relief panel of the same name--The Annunciation and the Nativity. Giovanni Pisano's panel was part of the pulpit of Sant'Andrea at Pistoia and was completed about 40 years after his father's. Giovanni's figures differ from the weighty, tranquil figures of his father. His figures are loose and dynamic with an excited energy that provides a sense of motion. The characters react to the action in the scene, and they all share a sense of spiritual passion from the miraculous events. Unlike his father's, Giovanni's figures are slender, enfolded by twisting draperies, and full of emotions.

Though they share family ties, there representations of the same scene differ greatly. As Nicola Pisano is an excellent example of the revived interest in classical works, Giovanni Pisano represents the developing movement of naturalism. Perhaps, Giovanni wanted to rebel against his father or not be classed alongside him, but either way he helped in the movement towards naturalistic representation.

Sadly, Daffy has no artistic talents, and Tommy is a more athletic than artistic type. Without any trace or hint of art in my genes, I have to take Art History as my art in order to graduate (not complaining Mr. Lovell...just saying).