Giotto di Bondone was an influential Italian painter and architect from the late Middle Ages, born around 1267 in Florence. He is often credited with breaking away from the Byzantine style of painting, introducing more naturalism and emotional expression in his works. His most famous contributions include the frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, which depict scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Giotto's innovative techniques, such as the use of perspective and realistic human figures, laid the groundwork for the Renaissance art movement. His work inspired many later artists, including Masaccio and Michelangelo, and he is often regarded as the father of Western painting. Giotto passed away in 1337, leaving a lasting legacy in the art world.