Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350
Exquisite exhibition at the National Gallery of art from 14th century Siena.
I love this style of early art but was worried that the show might feel quite dry however it was quite the opposite. The display and storytelling made these works come to life.
Although the show was built around four painters Duccio, Simone Martini and the Lorenzetti brothers, others were brought in and there were some fabulous examples of sculpture. I loved one room which showed the pictures with examples of objects in them or that would have been used around them.
Best of all was the narrative of the show and the way it highlighted the humanity of the work which to modern eyes could look archaic. I loved some of the details such as a man playing bongos and a dancing angel. They also told stories of the artists and I was touched by Lando di Pieto who put prayers he had written inside a Crucifix he made.
I also liked how the show broadened out to look at how Sienese artists travelled and were used by the pope’s retinue in Avignon and the influence of their art in the next generation. It’s always good to have an excuse to include The Wilton Diptych in an exhibition. (I visited again a few weeks later and the work had moved up to the main display rooms.)
My only criticism would be that there was no mention of the great secular work by the Lorenzetti brothers “The Allegory of Good and Bad Government”. It would be hard to cover as it’s a fresco and can’t be moved but it would have made a good counterpoint to the religious work.
Closes 22 June 2025
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