Cimabue

Cimabue’s paintings belong to the religious art of late thirteenth-century Italy, with works made for churches and devotional settings. Byzantine figure types and gold backgrounds remain important, while shading gives bodies and drapery a stronger sense of volume. The Santa Trinita Madonna arranges the enthroned Virgin and Child above prophets and between ranks of angels. Its scale, patterned surface, and architectural throne combine the ceremonial presence of an altarpiece with an interest in convincing human form.