Simone Martini: A Sienese Master

Simone Martini - St. Martin is Knighted (scene 3 in a series of frescoes) 1312-17 - Fresco, 265 x 200 cm - Cappella di San Martino, Lower Church, San Francesco, Assisi (click photo for larger image)Simone Martini (c. 1280-1344) was a Sienese painter, who was the pupil of the great master, Duccio. Simoe developed the use of outline for the sake of linear rhythm, and also used sophisticated color harmonies that were implicit in Duccio. Simone was also heavily influenced by the sculpture of Giovanni Pisano, and even more by French Gothic art. The stories of the life of St Martin that Simone could have used as sources for a series of frescoes devoted to the saint contain references to his military promotions. We can therefore suppose that our painter was surrounded by a world of tournaments and hunting expeditions. The artist used the scene of Martin's investiture to focus attention on courtly and aristocratic customs.