In this class, we spent most of our time watching and comparing several paintings that have the same topic–the Virgin and the child Jesus. The structures are similar: both have the Virgin somehow holding the baby Jesus with other figures surrounding them. But there is some difference and, more precisely, linear progress ( artists trying to do better than their precedents) exists–the style is becoming more “real-life” and natural. In Cimabue’s paint, the folding of cloth is shown by mere lines, and the arch where prophets standing beneath can also be seen as a step curved inwards (creating a space puzzle). In the latter paints, these situations are improved. In Giotto’s paint, the door-kind of stuff where Madonna sits on and the overlapping angels along sides start to show a sense of depth, and the use of shadow and light clearly shows the folding of Madonna’s dress. In Duccio’s paint, the reading method of Boustrophedon for the small paintings in the back is quite interesting, and the feet “out of page” reveals a bridge connecting the world within and outside the paint. It is also impressive to realize that in Domenico’s paint the penis of Jesus is in the exact middle of the canvas, emphasizing the human feature of christ. Through all these paintings to that of Giovanni’s, in which a more relaxing atmosphere is created, we see not only more human-looking faces but also more human emotion embedded. The overall moving toward more naturalistic artwork, I think, is the key feature of art progress during that period of time.