Masaccio - The Virgin and Child

In art history, Masaccio is important.

He is regarded as the greatest of the early-Renaissance Florentines.

Real name: “Tommaso Giovanni di Simone” ... AKA: “Masaccio” = “big ugly Tom”.

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The Virgin and Child (1426) by Masaccio

In this egg tempera on wood, the Virgin and Child are seated on a stone throne with classical columns.

Masaccio’s Virgin and Child is an affecting picture which seeks to stir both the basic &  profound in human emotions. 

This is especially clear if, for example, you compare it to Giotto’s Maestà of an earlier Florentine generation. Masaccio revolutionised the art of painting during his lifetime & formed a bridge between Giotto and Michelangelo.

Giotto - Maestà

Not only did Masaccio paint a very believable, rather sweet, humanist and dignified Christ — but he imbued the painting with feeling and emotion ... and, as with the Renaissance, it is clear that the human is the central measure of all things.

Angels playing lutes, and Christ eating grapes.

And yet, the Christ is still god-like with the grapes referring to the blood of Christ.

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Two panels from the Santa Maria Maggiore Altarpiece (1428-9) by Masaccio & Masolino

Masaccio painted the right-hand panel. It shows St John the Baptist and St Jerome. Jerome in his red cardinal robes.

Masolino painted the left-hand side with Pope St Gregory and St Matthias.