Seeing the Light

As my lecture for the National Gallery in June won't be streamed online or recorded, I thought I would repeat it - in a slightly expanded version - on a Monday evening when I wasn't expecting to be free. 

As explored in the Gallery's exhibition, Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350, Duccio’s Maestà – completed in 1311 for the High Altar of Siena Cathedral – was an endless source of inspiration for the next generation of Sienese artists, including Simone Martini and the Lorenzetti brothers. The regard in which it was held becomes clearer when we consider the context created for it, which included a rich array of paintings complementing its message. And by looking at some of the smallest details we can see precisely what was so inspirational – with the subtlest of connections clarified by the exhibition’s reunification of disparate fragments. 

As well as looking in detail at aspects of the 'Maestà' – and, in particular, at Duccio’s brilliant use of gold leaf – this lunchtime lecture will also consider the paintings created by Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti and Simone Martini to be seen in relationship to the High Altar.