Cimabue

Cimabue (c. 1240 – 1302), also known as Cenni Di Pepi or in modern Italian, Benvenuto di Giuseppe, was a Florentine painter and creator of mosaics.
Cimabue is generally regarded as one of the first great Italian painters to break away from the Italo-Byzantine style, although he still relied on Byzantine models.
The art of this period comprised scenes and forms that appeared relatively flat and highly stylized.
Cimabue was a pioneer in the move towards naturalism, as his figures were depicted with rather more lifelike proportions and shading.
Even though he was a pioneer in that move, his Maestà paintings show Medieval techniques and characteristics.
According to Giorgio Vasari, he was the teacher of Giotto, considered the first great artist of the Italian Renaissance.