Early Life and Training

Simone Martini, born around 1284 in Siena, Italy, was a pivotal figure in early Italian painting and significantly influenced the International Gothic style. While there is some debate over his tutelage, with Renaissance art biographer Giorgio Vasari suggesting he was a pupil of Giotto Di Bondone, it is more commonly thought that Martini learned from Duccio Di Buoninsegna, the leading Sienese painter of his era.

Notable Works and Style

Martini's style, known for its soft, decorative features and sinuous lines, offered a contrast to the more sober and monumental Florentine art. Some of his notable works include:

• The Angel of the Annunciation 1 (Gothic Art), showcasing his mastery of the International Gothic style.
• Madonna and Child 2 (Gothic Art), demonstrating his ability to create intimate and emotive pieces.
• Saint Louis of Toulouse Crowning His Brother Robert of Anjou (1317, Naples), highlighting his skill in narrative painting.

Influence and Legacy

Martini's major works had a significant impact on the development of the International Gothic style. His influence can be seen in the work of various artists, including Lippo Memmi, who painted a similar Maestà for the Palazzo Comunale in San Gimignano.

Museums and Collections

Martini's works can be found in various museums and collections, including:

• The Museum Convento dell'Osservanza (Siena, Italy), which houses numerous works of art from various periods.
• The Walker Art Gallery collection in Liverpool, featuring his Christ Discovered in the Temple (1342).

Explore more of Simone Martini's works and the International Gothic style on WahooArt:

• Simone Martini | 136 Artworks
• The Museum Museo della Consolazione (Altomonte, Italy)

Discover the rich cultural heritage of Siena, Italy, and the significant contributions of Simone Martini to the world of art.

Biography of a Pivotal Figure in the International Gothic Style

Simone Martini, born around 1284 in Siena, Italy, was a pivotal figure in early Italian painting and significantly influenced the development of the International Gothic style. This renowned artist's life is marked by his contributions to the art world, despite the scarcity of documentation on his personal life.

Early Life and Training

It is thought that Simone Martini was a pupil of Duccio di Buoninsegna, the leading Sienese painter of his time. However, some art historians, including Giorgio Vasari, suggest that he was instead a pupil of Giotto di Bondone. Martini's brother-in-law was fellow artist Lippo Memmi.

Notable Works and Style

Simone Martini's style is characterized by its soft, decorative features and sinuous lines, offering a contrast to the more sober and monumental Florentine art. His major works include:

• Saint Louis of Toulouse Crowning His Brother Robert of Anjou (1317), now in the Museo di Capodimonte, Naples
• Saint Catherine of Alexandria Polyptych in Pisa (1319)
• Annunciation with St. Margaret and St. Ansanus at the Uffizi in Florence (1333)
• Frescoes in the San Martino Chapel in the lower church of the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi

Legacy and Influence

Simone Martini's legacy is cemented as a master of early Italian painting, significantly influencing the development of the International Gothic style. His relationship with Petrarch in Avignon led to references in Petrarch's sonnets to a portrait of Laura de Noves that Martini supposedly painted for the poet. View more works by Simone Martini on WahooArt.com:

• The Angel of the Annunciation 1
• Madonna and Child 2

Explore more on Italian Renaissance painting:

• Italian Renaissance Painting on Wikipedia
• The Museum Museo della Consolazione (Altomonte, Italy) on WahooArt.com