Duccio di Buoninsegna
Duccio di Buoninsegna (about 1255 – 1318)
Clues:
1. Montepulciano 2. Founder of Siennese School of Painting 3. Egg Tempera 4. Painted Religious Subjects with Sensitivity and Expression 5. Painted High Altarpiece in Sienna 6. $45,000,000 USD Paid For Painting
The language of Byzantine medieval art was a rigid system of icons and symbols. It would require an artist with a rebellious streak to begin to break the chains of such extreme conformity. Duccio di Buoninsegna was just such a man, and earned at least nine fines from the authorities for his frequent unruly behavior. Museum Tour
We will be taking a virtual tour of Duccio di Buoninsegna’s most famous works. When you are connected to the Internet, click on the buttons and you will be brought to websites where you can find additional images and information on the artist. To get the greatest benefit of this tour, take a sketchpad in hand and draw from Duccio’s paintings, also taking notes of any thoughts or impressions that you may have. If drawing is not something you are comfortable with, just enjoy the pictures, absorbing the colors, forms and design.
Copyright to all intellectual property, articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within 1 this document belong to Diane Cardaci and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Diane Cardaci.
Website: www.dianecardaci.com E‐mail: [email protected] Duccio di Buoninsegna
Racellai Madonna (about 1285)
When we study the work of masters from a faraway era it is important to view them through the prism of their time. At first glance, the painting below looks like many other Byzantine Madonna and Child paintings. But if we look closely, we can see that Duccio has expressed his rebellious nature by placing the seated Virgin in a slightly sideways position. It was new developments such as this that gave him the title “founder of the Siennese school of painting” (clue #2).
Copyright to all intellectual property, articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within 2 this document belong to Diane Cardaci and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Diane Cardaci.
Website: www.dianecardaci.com E‐mail: [email protected] Duccio di Buoninsegna
Madonna with Child (13th Century)
This small painting hangs in the church Santa Maria dei Servi in the pretty town of Montepulciano (clue #1) that is famous for its regional wine, Vino Nobile. Duccio painted with egg tempera on wood panels, as most artists did during the middle ages. Using this medium, an artist can paint with extreme detail and the colors are pure and clear. Egg tempera (clue #3) is created by mixing pure pigment with an egg yolk binder. During the Renaissance, however, artists began to use oil paints for their paintings instead of egg tempera. It was not until the 19th century when artists once again began to explore this medium. Andrew Wyeth created his famous painting “Christina” using this medium.
Copyright to all intellectual property, articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within 3 this document belong to Diane Cardaci and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Diane Cardaci.
Website: www.dianecardaci.com E‐mail: [email protected] Duccio di Buoninsegna
The Maestà (1308‐1311)
The patron saint of Sienna was the Virgin Mary, and so it is not surprising that the Comune (municipality) of Sienna gave to Duccio a commission to paint this enormous altarpiece for the Cathedral of Sienna (clue #5). This work is considered to be Duccio’s greatest masterpiece. The front side of the panel consists of the Madonna enthroned, and along the bottom are small paintings called the “predella”. On the back of the painting are 43 small narrative paintings illustrating the life of the Virgin and the life of Christ. Viewing this painting in the 21st century, it is easy to underestimate the significance of this magnificent painting. But in late medieval Sienna, this painting was honored with a solemn procession, complete with the Bishop, the officials, all citizens of Sienna and candles.
Below are some pictures of this remarkable painting. If you would like a more complete discussion of this painting, click on the link to the right.
Central Panel: Madonna with Angels and Saints
In this panel we can notice two important breaks from Byzantine medieval art. The modeling of the drapery (clothing) does not depend on the use of gold striations that was typical for this time. Also, the Christ child is a much more natural human baby that looks directly at us.
If you would to take an online tour of Byzantine art in 12th and 13th century Italy, click on the link to the right.
Copyright to all intellectual property, articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within 4 this document belong to Diane Cardaci and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Diane Cardaci.
Website: www.dianecardaci.com E‐mail: [email protected] Duccio di Buoninsegna
The Birth of Christ
In the panel below (from the front of the altarpiece), Duccio takes another step away from Byzantine tradition by incorporating a shed in the nativity scene. Giotto, a contemporary artist who was also making strides in breaking out from the rigid art system, had introduced this from the French Gothic style.
Copyright to all intellectual property, articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within 5 this document belong to Diane Cardaci and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Diane Cardaci.
Website: www.dianecardaci.com E‐mail: [email protected] Duccio di Buoninsegna
Paintings on the Back Panel of the Maestà:
The paintings on the back panel indicate Duccio’s mastery at storytelling, as well as his ability to show these religious subjects with sensitivity and expression (clue # 4). Also, you may notice that these paintings begin to show some limited depth and space, which was another revolutionary step away from the Byzantine tradition. In addition, you can see in these paintings one of the greatest characteristics of Duccio’s art, his use of graceful, sinuous lines.
Healing of the Blind Man
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Website: www.dianecardaci.com E‐mail: [email protected] Duccio di Buoninsegna
Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles
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Website: www.dianecardaci.com E‐mail: [email protected] Duccio di Buoninsegna
The Calling of Peter and Andrew
Copyright to all intellectual property, articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within 8 this document belong to Diane Cardaci and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Diane Cardaci.
Website: www.dianecardaci.com E‐mail: [email protected] Duccio di Buoninsegna
Wedding at Cana
Duccio di Buoninsegna has such important status in the development of Western Art that the Metropolitan Museum of Art was willing to pay $45,000,000 USD for one of his paintings. Click on the link at right to learn more about the controversary regarding this purchase.
Copyright to all intellectual property, articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within 9 this document belong to Diane Cardaci and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Diane Cardaci.
Website: www.dianecardaci.com E‐mail: [email protected]