Duccio

This volume brought the ultimate masterpiece of Sienese painting - Duccio’s Maestà or Virgin in Majesty, painted between 1308 and 1311 for the high altar of Siena Cathedral. For Duccio di Buoninsegna the Maestà was the culmination of an illustrious career. His sense of colour, his love of rich materials and his elegant, lyrical style come across in glorious colour photographs of this many-panelled altarpiece, including the centrepiece showing the Virgin and Child, and, on its reverse, the Passion of Christ. Luciano Bellosi looks at the work as a whole, before documenting each section and examining details reproduced to scale. He interprets the iconography of the altarpiece, explores the historical background and sheds light on Duccio’s personality and creative process. The Maestà is the world’s finest surviving Italian altarpiece. Stunningly designed and printed, this is a volume that will be treasured by all those who love Italian art and culture. Luciano Bellosi has taught at the faculty of History of Medieval Art at Siena University since 1979.