# Madonna and Child \(no. 583\) [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [SIMONE MARTINI]() - Date: 1301-1350 - Technique: Tempera on wood, 88 x 57 cm ## Commentary Madonna and Child \(no. 583\) 1308-10 Tempera on wood, 88 x 57 cm Pinacoteca Nazionale, Siena The Madonna and Child, no. 583 in the Siena Pinacoteca, after a variety of attributions is now accepted as the earliest known painting by Simone. It was the central panel of a polypytch \(on either side there are holes to fasten the side panels to it\) and the attribution is based on stylistic considerations: on the one hand, close ties to Duccio's painting; on the other, typical features of Simone's art. The Madonna is looking at the spectator: her erect position, the cloak enveloping her body, her sweet but sad eyes, are all elements typical of Duccio's art. But alongside these we find some totally new features: the sculptural quality of the veil around the Virgin's face and the play of light and shadow; the restless movements of the Child, who turns his head towards the Saint to his left \(the figure originally depicted on the side panel\) and holds onto his mother's hand; his round body, his mouth, his curly hair and the perfect shape of his ear are all given exact volumes and concrete forms. ## Related artworks - [Altar of St Louis of Toulouse \(detail\)]() - [Altar of St Louis of Toulouse: predella]() - [Altar of St Louis of Toulouse]() - [Altar of St Louis of Toulouse \(without predella\)]() - [Annunciation and Two Saints \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation and Two Saints \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation and Two Saints \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation and Two Saints]() - [Blessed Agostino Novello Altarpiece \(detail\)]() - [Blessed Agostino Novello Altarpiece \(detail\)]() - [Blessed Agostino Novello Altarpiece \(detail\)]() - [Blessed Agostino Novello Altarpiece \(detail\)]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()