| Martini, Simone (circa
1280-1344), Italian painter, who was one of the most original and influential artists of
the Sienese school. Simone was born in Siena. Building on the techniques for indicating
three-dimensional space developed by the Sienese master Duccio di
Buoninsegna, Simone added a refined contour of line, grace of expression, and serenity
of mood. He painted many frescoes, introducing the fresco technique into the Sienese
school. He also painted altarpiece panels, such as the Virgin and Child (1320) for the
Church of Saint Catherine in Pisa. Simone lived in Assisi for a time, where he produced one of his greatest frescoes, illustrating scenes from the life of St. Martin for the chapel of St. Martin. In 1339, at the request of Pope Benedict XII, he went to Avignon, where he executed frescoes in the papal palace and the cathedral. Among his works are Saint John the Baptist (National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.) and The Annunciation (1333, Uffizi Gallery, Florence), considered one of the greatest achievements of the Sienese school. |
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Annunciazione Uffizi, Firenze | 183k | 1024x753 |
| Annunciazione, high resolution Uffizi, Firenze | 261k | 1200x883 | |
| Annunciazione, very high resolution Uffizi, Firenze | 492k | 1575x1159 | |
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La via Crucis, Louvre Parigi | 61k | 360x600 |
