Formal Analysis: Simone Martini Art
Simone Martini, one of the prominent representatives from the generation of painters trained by Duccio in Siena, Italy during the Renaissance period, created a masterpiece Annunciation. It is located in Florence, Italy in the Galleria degli Uffizi. The tempera on panel has a restored cusped and gilded frame hints and presents the significant complex of Gothic frame as well. In fact, it is an altarpiece in the form of a triptych or three-part structure that describes the Annunciation with two local saints positioned against a brilliant gold ground. Virgin Mary painted by Simone sits in a cloth-covered throne and wears the similar garments as in Maesta of Duccio. The Holy Angel Gabriel stands on his knees in front of Mary.
On the picture the Holy Angel Gabriel approaches the Holy Mary and says famous words for every believer in Christianity and God from the prayer in Latin “Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum” (“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with You”. The artist also renders these words on the surface of the painting and covered them with the gold leaf and gives it the vision of heaven. Furthermore, the lilies as the symbol of Mary’s purity and virginity, marble floor and garment worn by the angel confirm the richness of the tempera on panel. On the picture Virgin answers to the Angel in a complete surprise and pulls him away. The presence of a flying dove which symbolizes the Holy Spirit confirms and empowers the seriousness of the situation, her acceptance of being the mother of Jesus and the beginning of the process of Salvation. The images created by Simone are extremely elegant and spiritual and, they are particularly important for this piece of art as they evoke visitors of Galleria degli Uffizi to think beyond the ordinary life and dive into the spiritual one fully.
Formal Analysis 2
Cimabue of Florence who lived in 1200 after 1300 in the Renaissance period in Italy was partially apprenticed to a Greek painter and despite Florence, he worked also in Assisi, Rome and Pisa. In the 1280s he created his masterpiece – a large panel which depicts the Madonna Enthroned or the other title Madonna in Majesty to be placed in the church of Santa Trinita in Florence. It is now located in Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.
The panel presents a large scale of the altarpiece; more than twelve feet high and it was made in the devotional focus of the church. The composition of it resembles Byzantine icons as the other Madonna Enthroned. Nevertheless, the researchers say that its scale and verticality is much closer to Altarpiece of St. Claire.
Virgin Mary and her son Jesus are placed on a heavy golden throne surrounded by rows of angels from each side. The Hebrew Bible prophets who are holding scrolls with it are placed below the throne and in fact form the foundation for it. It underlines the significance and unity of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament in Christian …
