Maesta

June 9, 1311 the City of Siena was shut down and all hands were in the streets, carrying candles and celebrating the installation of Duccio's Maesta in the cathedral. The altarpiece had been over three years in the making.

The medium is tempera on wood with gold overlays.  Duccio is credited with having been a leader in the turning of Western art from the Byzantine to a more realistic representation of the artist's subjects.



Front

Reverse

More than four hundred years later, 1771, the masterpiece was sawed into pieces, dismantled, and effectively flung to the four winds.  Parts of it have been recovered and reassembled, some of it finds residence in musea across the face of the Earth, and parts of it are still missing, likely shall always be missing.  It is thought that cutting it up was a commercial venture, that is, to make the "parts" more saleable and more easily transported.  A principal portion resides in a museum in Siena, its hometown.

Source:  Masterpiece Cards and various websites.

The Painting Wyeths

 "What do the Children See? -N. C. Wyeth

 "Soaring" -Andrew Wyeth

"Envy" -Jamie Wyeth

January 16 is the anniversary of the death of Andrew Wyeth.  Three years ago I posted a short tribute to him in which I revealed that he and Homer Winslow are among my favorite American artists.  I reiterate my admiration for Mr. Wyeth's work.

This post, though, is an expression of my amazement at certain occurrences in the panoply of human history. It is stunning to me that the talent and dedication to a particular endeavor would span three generations.  Andrew Wyeth's father was a highly accomplished and well-recognized artist in his own right.  N.C. Wyeth was essentially his son's sole teacher, not just as an artist, but across the spectrum of learning.

Then to follow in his father's footsteps, there is Jamie Wyeth.  The example of his work that I have chosen to share is one of his series "Seven Deadly Sins."  Jamie started his study of art with his aunt, Carolyn Wyeth, accomplished artist, another in this clan of talented people.  Jamie works in many media, and is particularly fond of painting animals.  His attention to detail is remarkable.

Newell Convers "N.C." Wyeth  October 22, 1882 - October 19, 1945

Andrew Newell Wyeth  July 12, 1917 - January 16, 2009

James Browning Wyeth  July 6, 1946 -