Master of the Cappella Medici Polyptych
Encyclopedia
The Master of the Cappella Medici Polyptych (sometimes called the Master of Terenzano) was an Italian
painter active between about 1315 and 1335.
Identified in the twentieth century by Bernard Berenson
as the Master of Terenzano, the Master was renamed for a polyptych
from his hand, dating to the 1320s, that originally stood in the Medici
Chapel of the church of Santa Croce
in Florence
. The panels, half-length depictions of saints, have since been separated, and are used as pinnacles for the altarpiece on the high altar of the same church.
It would appear that the Master was well respected, even if he occupied a modest position in local artistic circles. He forms part of a line of artists, beginning with the Master of Saint Cecilia and continuing through Pacino de Bonaguida, whose work bears the influence of Giotto even as it stands in contrast. Similar painters, who have been described as being of the "miniaturist tendency", were best known for their work on illuminated manuscript
s; nevertheless, the Master of the Cappella Medici Poliptych is known only through a donzen panel paintings. Among these is a large Crucifix
in Stuttgart
, as well as smaller works, such as a Virgin and Child Enthroned with Four Saints (once part of a portable altarpiece, now separated and found in Detroit).
Based upon the limited evidence of these works, the Master likely trained in Pacino's workshop at some point during the second decade of the fourteenth century. His figures are generally timid-looking and doll-like, and reveal a kinship with the younger and more prolific Master of the Dominican Effigies; so similar are their works that the two were initially confused, and it is still believed that they may have worked together. A debt to Giotto may be seen in some works; from the 1320s on his style betrays knowledge of the work of Jacopo del Casentino
and Bernardo Daddi
. Unlike the latter, however, he had little success in adapting his training in smaller genres to the large-scale style of Giotto.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
painter active between about 1315 and 1335.
Identified in the twentieth century by Bernard Berenson
Bernard Berenson
Bernard Berenson was an American art historian specializing in the Renaissance. He was a major figure in pioneering art attribution and therefore establishing the market for paintings by the "Old Masters".-Personal life:...
as the Master of Terenzano, the Master was renamed for a polyptych
Polyptych
A polyptych generally refers to a painting which is divided into sections, or panels. The terminology that follows is in relevance to the number of panels integrated into a particular piece of work: "diptych" describes a two-part work of art; "triptych" describes a three-part work; "tetraptych"...
from his hand, dating to the 1320s, that originally stood in the Medici
Medici
The House of Medici or Famiglia de' Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de' Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. The family originated in the Mugello region of the Tuscan countryside,...
Chapel of the church of Santa Croce
Santa Croce
Santa Croce is one of the six sestieri of Venice, northern Italy.-Geography:It occupies the north west part of the main islands, and can be divided into two areas: the eastern area being largely mediaeval, and the western - including the main port and the Tronchetto - mostly lying on land reclaimed...
in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
. The panels, half-length depictions of saints, have since been separated, and are used as pinnacles for the altarpiece on the high altar of the same church.
It would appear that the Master was well respected, even if he occupied a modest position in local artistic circles. He forms part of a line of artists, beginning with the Master of Saint Cecilia and continuing through Pacino de Bonaguida, whose work bears the influence of Giotto even as it stands in contrast. Similar painters, who have been described as being of the "miniaturist tendency", were best known for their work on illuminated manuscript
Illuminated manuscript
An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations...
s; nevertheless, the Master of the Cappella Medici Poliptych is known only through a donzen panel paintings. Among these is a large Crucifix
Crucifix
A crucifix is an independent image of Jesus on the cross with a representation of Jesus' body, referred to in English as the corpus , as distinct from a cross with no body....
in Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
, as well as smaller works, such as a Virgin and Child Enthroned with Four Saints (once part of a portable altarpiece, now separated and found in Detroit).
Based upon the limited evidence of these works, the Master likely trained in Pacino's workshop at some point during the second decade of the fourteenth century. His figures are generally timid-looking and doll-like, and reveal a kinship with the younger and more prolific Master of the Dominican Effigies; so similar are their works that the two were initially confused, and it is still believed that they may have worked together. A debt to Giotto may be seen in some works; from the 1320s on his style betrays knowledge of the work of Jacopo del Casentino
Jacopo del Casentino
Jacopo del Casentino was an Italian painter called Jacopo Landino or da Prato Vecchio, active mainly in Tuscany...
and Bernardo Daddi
Bernardo Daddi
Bernardo Daddi was an early Italian renaissance painter and apprentice of Giotto. He was also influenced by the Sienese art of Lorenzetti....
. Unlike the latter, however, he had little success in adapting his training in smaller genres to the large-scale style of Giotto.