“Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300–1350” in London

The National Gallery in London is currently presenting “Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300–1350,” an exhibition that will run until June 22, 2025, in its Ground Floor Galleries. This exhibition delves into a “golden moment” in central Italian art, showcasing how pioneering artists like Duccio, Simone Martini, and the Lorenzetti brothers developed a new, emotionally dynamic style of painting during the early 14th century. A central feature of the exhibition is the unprecedented reunification of scenes from Duccio’s monumental ‘Maestà’ altarpiece and Simone Martini’s ‘Orsini polyptych’, pieces that have been separated for centuries. While primarily focused on painting, the exhibition also explicitly demonstrates Siena’s broader creative influence across Europe. It includes over a hundred exhibits, such as gilded glass, illuminated manuscripts, ivory Madonnas, rugs, and silks, all created by artisans in Siena, Naples, and Avignon. This approach highlights the interconnectedness of art forms in historical periods, demonstrating that painting was often an integral part of a broader artistic ecosystem that included various handicrafts and decorative arts. This enriches the visitor experience by providing a holistic view of a historical art movement and suggests that contemporary art analysis should also consider cross-media influences.  

Source Link: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/siena-the-rise-of-painting