Sienese Art of the Early Trecento

Question 1

Maestra Altarpiece by Duccio

Answer 1

1308-11 in Sienna

• The altarpiece is located in Sienna Cathedral
• The altarpiece is a “polyptych” meaning that it has multiple panels
• Not all the panels are on the altarpiece currently. Some have been scattered to different museums like the Frink Collection for example
• Duccio’s first famous work was Madonna and Child which is very similar to the central panel on the front of the altarpiece

Question 2

Maestra by Simone Martini

Answer 2

1315 in Sienna

• Built at the Council Chamber at the Palazzo Pubblico in Sienna
• Simone was a pupil of Duccio’s and he helped Duccio with the Maestra Altarpiece
• While working on the Maestra, Simone was invited to Naples by the French king, Robert, to paint an image of him receiving the crown from his older brother, Louis
• The oldest painting that can be attributed to Simone
• A document from 1321 reveals that Simone updated certain parts of the fresco after his initial finish

Question 3

Allegory of Good Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti

Answer 3

1338-39 in Sienna, Itally

• Good and Bad Government is located in the room of Palazzo Pubblico where the Council of the Nine held their meeting
• The compositions flow in a relaxed manner like the irregular city plan of Sienna itself
• The frescoes had a secular focus, even though, the Catholic Church was the central religion