An exploration of a pivotal moment in Italian art, in the early 1300s, in the city of Siena.

"This is a book you should enjoy and cherish, just like the objects it celebrates."—Ann Landi, Wall Street Journal

In the early 1300s, the city of Siena gave birth to an extraordinary period of creativity and innovation. Painters, sculptors, and goldsmiths produced remarkable works, whose influence extended far beyond the city walls. From grand altarpieces to portable objects for private devotion, the art originating from Siena left a lasting legacy.

This book explores a crucial turning point in Italian art when appreciation for painting reached new heights. Siena became a hub of a rich exchange of ideas, as artists drew inspiration from marble and ivory sculptures, intricate metalworks, and precious imported silks to enhance the power of their works. Traveling beyond their homeland, Siena's artists left their mark throughout Italy and northern Europe.

With beautiful illustrations and significant new research, the chapters examine masterpieces by four of Siena's most prominent painters—Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti—along with objects from other media and from different countries and cultures, encouraging new perspectives and dialogues among these pioneering works.

Pages: 312, Year of Publication: 1209, Dimensions: 24.1x24.1cm