Duccio- Maesta

476-1400 A.D

medieval era (duccio)

genre

painting

title

maesta

author

duccio

form

polyptych (painting on many tiles)

time

1301-1311

Place

Siena Cathedral, Siena

duccio considered…

…father of Sienese Gothic style.

early middle ages

king Charlemagne

high middle ages (Medieval Era) (Rule of roman catholic church)

fair weather cycles, high agricultural yields, crusades, growth of city states in Italy.

late middle ages

great cooling, great famine, hundred years war, black death, east-west schism.

Siena was…

…wealthy/progressive and had an elected Republic form of government.

-only elite men could vote.

front

has stories of Mary’s life

back

has stories of Christ

how did duccio paint the maesta? (1)

(1) used tempera over wood panel layered with fine white clay called gesso. Tempera combined egg yolk, color pigments, water.

how did duccio paint the maesta? (Image 1, front- The Annunciation)

Tempera preserved color and its viscosity (thinness) allowed for texture of fabric-effect.

how did duccio paint the maesta? (2)

(2) used Gold leave to give paintings an ethereal quality; amount of Gold showed status of patron. candle light reflecting the gold to feel aura.

how did duccio paint the maesta? (Image 2, front- The Annunciation of Mary’s Death)

combined Byzantine/Roman style + Sienese Gothic Style

The Annunciation of Mary’s Death (similarities)

elongated nose & fingers, mouth closed, gold used, no depth perspective.

The Annunciation of Mary’s Death (differences)

bright colors/subdued colors, curvy draper/angular drapery, hint of distinct facial expression/same facial expression.

how did duccio paint the maesta? (Image 3- Agony in The Garden & Image 4- Christ Taken Prisoner (back))

Used multiple scenes in a panel to tell story – narrative painting via continuity

Agony in The Garden

two Jesus’s, 1) disciples resting, 2) Jesus + Apostles discussing something serious, 3) Surrender, Jesus mediating with God.

Christ Taken Prisoner

1) Christ taken prison by Roman guards, Judas (betrayal), 2) Peter tries to help, slices a guard’s ear off, 3) escaping disciples (abandonment).

why did duccio paint the maesta? (Image 5, front- Nativity)

Commemorate Siena’s victory over Florence. Mary declared patron Saint of Siena after Battle of Montaperti (1260)

Nativity

-mary and baby Jesus centered. Midwives, Joseph, angels, shepherds.

1) baby Jesus being swaddled in a stable/cave, 2) midwives cleaning baby Jesus

why did duccio paint the maesta? (Image 6, front- Presentation in the Temple)

Church and State together – Kings in religious paintings in Middle Ages.

Presentation in the Temple

flanked by King Solomon & Prophet Malachi, baby Jesus being presented.

why did duccio paint the maesta? (3)

(3) art only in service of God with churches as centers for displaying artwork.

why did duccio paint the maesta? (4)

(4) Secular art discouraged. Social life/experience not shown in Medieval art.

why did duccio paint the maesta? (5)

(5) Duccio’s art shows ruling ideology limiting artistic freedom.