In the great double church of Assisi, built by the Franciscans over the grave of St.Francis within a few years of his death, Giotto has illustrated the whole story of his life.

An isolated reproduction of one scene would give you no idea of their power.

In many respects he was an innovator, and by the end of his life had broken away completely from the Byzantine school of painting.

He composed each one of the scenes from the life of St.Francis in an original and dramatic manner, and so vividly that a person unacquainted with the story would know what was going on.

Standing in the nave of the Upper Church, you are able to contrast these speaking scenes of the lives of people upon earth, with the faded glories of great-winged angels and noble Madonnas with Greek faces, that were painted in the Byzantine style when the church was at its newest, before Giotto was born.