around 1309 - before 1361 · Gothic Bologna, color and movement

Prancing horses, wind draperies and vibrant colors make Vitale da Bologna one of the great inventors of Italian Gothic.

Vitale di Aymo degli Equi, known as Vitale da Bologna, was probably born around 1308 -1309 and died before 1361. Documented as a painter in Bologna from 1330, he became one of the major figures of the Trecento in the Po valley. His art is formed in Bolognese Gothic, nourished by miniature, Franciscan stories and the example of Giotto, but he very quickly developed a personal language based on movement, color and expression. Saint George and the Dragon, painted around 1330 -1335, summarizes this invention. The horse rears up, the red coat and the rider's hair fly, the spear plunges towards the monster while the princess turns around one last time. Exceptionally, the signature takes the form of a monogram inscribed on the horse, a clever game with the name "degli Equi". The blue background, the golden highlights and the punching give the surface a decorative depth as well as narrative tension. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Coronations and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of traditional formulas. Vitale also creates Madonnas, Crucifixions, Crownings and Adorations where looks, gestures and rhythms break the rigidity of

Vitale gives the sacred story the speed of an event: horse, fabric, gaze and color all seem carried away in the same movement.