Simone Martini: The Maestà (1315)

(Palazzo Pubblico, Siena, Italy)

A fresco by the Italian artist Simone Martini (1284-1344). The fresco shows what is called a 'Maestà' (a 'Majesty'). In the center is the Enthroned Virgin Mary and the blessing child Jesus. To the left and right is a large group of angels, saints and apostles. The scene is surrounded by 20 medallions depicting the Blessing Christ, the Prophets and the Evangelists. The smaller shields contain the coat-of-arms of Siena. Fresco from 1315.