how was giotto’s ability to show depth different from more traditional methods?

Giotto's ability to show depth was fundamentally different from more traditional methods primarily through his innovative use of three- dimensionality and naturalism. Unlike the earlier Byzantine style, which depicted flat, stylized, and symbolic figures often set against gold backgrounds, Giotto painted figures with volume, weight, and a realistic sense of presence. He used chiaroscuro (light and shadow) to create the illusion of three-dimensional forms on a flat surface, making the figures appear more lifelike and grounded. He also introduced a naturalistic sense of space and perspective, placing figures in a real spatial environment rather than a symbolic or purely decorative background. Traditional methods tended to focus on spiritual symbolism and flatness, whereas Giotto's work brought a humanistic approach with emotional expression and spatial depth, making the scenes more relatable and dynamic. He used techniques such as foreshortening, placing figures in overlapping positions to create spatial relationships, and modeling with light and shadow to highlight volume and contour. This approach marked a dramatic departure from the flat, two-dimensional representations common before him, and it paved the way for the development of Renaissance art with its emphasis on realism and perspective.