Trinity Fresco
Madonna and Child with St. Anne
Masaccio
contributed by Alan Cleaver
| Masaccio was born on December 21, 1401 with the name of Tommasso. His art work was greatly influenced by Brunelleschi and Donatello. He acquired knowledge of mathematical proportion from Brunelleschi, and he acquired knowledge of classical art from Donatello. He was one of the first Renaissance artists that was able to interpret man's deepest reality. In his paintings one can grasp the rigorous construction of special perspective and a wonderful use of color. His work went on to influence the such artist as Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Rafael. Masaccio died of mysterious circumstances in 1428. (1) | |
| Only four unquestionable works of Masaccio still survive, although many works has been attributed to him. His four known works are: The Madonna and child with St. Anne, The Fresco Trinity, The altarpiece for Santa Maria del Carmine, and the Fresco series for the Brancacci Chapel. (2) | |
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| The Brancacci Chapel was built in 1386, and it is located at the end of the right wing of the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine. Masaccio was asked by Masolino to assist him in painting the frescos. The two worked on the chapel together and alone; however, for some unknown reason they did not complete the chapel. Perhaps it was because of Masaccio unexpected death. The Brancacci Chapel was completed by Filippino Lippi sixty years later. The chapel consists of two frescos, one is devoted to the life of St. Peter and the other is devoted to Original Sin.(3) | |
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(1) http://www.masaccio.it/html_eng/home.htm 9/28/03
(2) http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/bio/m/masaccio/biograph.html 9/28/03
(3) http://www.arca.net/db/musei/brancacc.htm 9/28/03