Duccio di Buoninsegna

Background

Duccio di Buoninsegna was born approximately in 1255-1260 in Siena, Italy.

Education

Many sources claim, that Duccio studied under Cimabue, while others note, that probably he traveled to Constantinople and learned directly from a Byzantine master.

Career

Understanding of Duccio's style depends on two documented works: the "Madonna Enthroned", called the "Rucellai Madonna", and the "Maestà". The "Rucellai Madonna" was commissioned on April 15, 1285, by the Confraternity of the Laudesi of S. Maria Novella in Florence. The contract was discovered in the 18th century and led to the correction of Giorgio Vasari's attribution of the "Rucellai Madonna" to Cimabue. Despite this documentary evidence and the discrepancy in style between the "Rucellai Madonna" and other authentic works by Cimabue, some scholars still cling to Vasari's attribution. Others, aware of the stylistic differences, but reluctant to accept the "Rucellai Madonna" as a work by Duccio, have invented a third artist, the "Master of the Rucellai Madonna". The consensus of opinion, however, gives the painting to Duccio. There is nothing in the style of the "Rucellai Madonna", that makes its attribution to Duccio implausible. This fact and the contract of 1285 certainly makes such an attribution acceptable.

In stylistic terms, the "Rucellai Madonna" remains within the Byzantine conventions. It shows a concern for coloristic design uncommon in the late 13th century. In the dress of the six angels, flanking the throne, for instance, Duccio abandoned the strict symmetry and deep colors of the more traditional Byzantine works and substituted cool, silvery lilacs, pinks and light blues, which give the painting a softer and more decorative appearance, than was common. This decorativeness is further accentuated by the dancing gold line, that traces the hem and opening of the Virgin's mantle.

The "Maestà", Duccio's masterpiece, is fully documented. It was commissioned on October 9, 1308 for the main altar of the Cathedral in Siena and was carried in triumph from Duccio's studio to the Cathedral on June 9, 1311. Between these dates there are several documents of payment and admonitions to the artist to work faster. The "Maestà" is painted on both sides. The front depicts the Madonna, enthroned in majesty with saints and angels. In the predella, spandrels and pinnacles are scenes from the life of the Virgin and portraits of the Prophets. The back is decorated with small panels, depicting the life and passion of Christ.

Other paintings, generally attributed to Duccio, include a half-length "Madonna and Child" for S. Cecilia in Crevole. This work, which is totally within the Byzantine style, is usually dated before the "Rucellai Madonna", that is before 1285, and is therefore Duccio's earliest extant work. The "Madonna and Franciscans", dating from between the "Rucellai Madonna" and the "Maestà", perhaps about 1300, is a charming small panel with many of the stylistic characteristics, found in Duccio's larger pictures. The "Madonna Enthroned in Bern" dates from the same period as the "Madonna and Franciscans". Other works include a half-length Madonna in Brussels, a half-length Madonna in Perugia and others. A polyptych with the half-length Madonna, flanked by saints in Siena, may be wholly or partly painted by Duccio. Duccio's pupils and followers adhered closely to his style, a fact, that has created unusual difficulty for connoisseurs.

During his last years, Duccio di Buoninsegna was the owner of a prosperous workshop, from which other works emerged, but they are believed to have been executed in great part by students.

It is believed, that the painter had many followers and influenced many other painters, such as Simone Martini and the brothers Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti.

Achievements

• In the 14th century, Duccio became one of the most favored and radical painters in Siena, who founded the Sienese school. Duccio's role in the development of early Sienese painting may be equated roughly with the roles of both Cimabue and Giotto in the development of Florentine painting. Like Cimabue, Duccio represented the culmination of the Italo-Byzantine style of the 13th century in Siena.
  
  Duccio's famous work, "Madonna", painted on a wooden panel around the year 1300, was purchased in November 2004 by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for $45 million.

Works

More photos

• painting

  • Crevole Madonna

    1280

  • Madonna and Child (no. 593)

    1280

  • Maestà

    1280

  • Madonna of Crevole

    1284

  • Franciscan Madonna

    1285

  • Gualino Madonna

    1285

  • Madonna Rucellai

    1285

  • Madonna

    1300

  • Window, Showing the Death, Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin

    1288

  • Crucifixion Triptych

    1305

  • London Triptych, Madonna with Angels and Prophets

    1305

  • Madonna and Child

    1305

  • Madonna with Angels

    1305

  • The Madonna and Child with Angels

    1307

  • Scenes from Passion of Christ

    1308

  • Triptych

    1308

  • The Crucifixion

    1310

  • The Madonna and Child with Saints

    1310

  • Agony in the Garden

    1311

  • Apostle Andrew

    1311

  • Apostle Jacob

    1311

  • Apostle Matthias

    1311

  • Apostle Philip

    1311

  • Apostle Simon

    1311

  • Arrest of Christ

    1311

  • Burial

    1311

  • Carrying of the Cross

    1311

  • Christ Appearing to Mary

    1311

  • Christ Before Caiaphas

    1311

  • Christ Before Pilate

    1311

  • Christ in front of Anna

    1311

  • Christ Preaches the Apostles

    1311

  • Coronation of the Virgin

    1311

  • Descent from the Cross

    1311

  • Descent into Hell

    1311

  • Flagellation of Christ

    1311

  • Madonna and Child on a Throne

    1311

  • Mockery of Christ

    1311

  • Pilate Washes his Hands

    1311

  • Prophets. Jeremiah

    1311

  • Prophets. Isaiah

    1311

  • Renunciation of Peter

    1311

  • The Apostle Bartholomew

    1311

  • The Apostle James Alphaeus

    1311

  • The Apostle Matthew

    1311

  • The Apostle Thaddeus

    1311

  • The Betrayal of Judas

    1311

  • The Crucifixion

    1311

  • The High Priests Before Pilate

    1311

Personality

Several documents give some hints about the artist's personality. He was, for instance, frequently in debt, as receipts of payment indicate. He was fined several times for petty offenses, such as blocking the street and once for refusing to join the militia, fighting in Maremma.

Connections

Duccio di Buoninsegna was married and had 7 children.

References

• Duccio di Buoninsegna: 115 Byzantine Reproductions This work contains 115 corrected reproductions of Byzantine religious scenes with title, date and interesting facts page below.
  2011
• Duccio di Buoninsegna and His School Book by James H. Stubblebine.
  1979
• Duccio di Buoninsegna Book by Cecilia Jannella.
  1991
• Duccio Book by Andrea Weber.
  1998