Giotto

Born near Florence, probably in Vespignano. Son of a farmer. Legend says the painter Cimabue found him as a boy drawing a sheep on a rock so lifelike he took him as an apprentice. The story is probably not true. But Giotto was real.

Completed the Scrovegni Chapel frescoes in Padua. 38 scenes from the lives of Mary and Christ covering every wall. The figures look solid, weighted, emotional. Nothing in European painting had looked like this before.

Painted the Ognissanti Madonna for the Church of All Saints in Florence. The Virgin sits on a throne that occupies real space. You can almost walk behind it. Cimabue's madonnas were flat. Giotto's breathe.

Appointed chief architect of Florence Cathedral and began designing the campanile, the bell tower that still stands beside the Duomo. He designed only the first story before dying. Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti finished it.