The Development of the Italian Schools of Painting : Volume II

Front Matter....Pages N2-VIII Duccio di Buoninsegna....Pages 1-67 School of Duccio....Pages 68-161 Simone Martini and Donato....Pages 162-250 The Immediate Followers of Simone Martini....Pages 251-320 The Lorenzetti....Pages 321-431 The Minor Masters of the Later XIV Century....Pages 432-543 Minor Masters of the End of the XIV Century....Pages 544-592 Back Matter....Pages 593-627 It is only in the last generation that lovers of art have recognized the special qualities of the 14th century Sienese school of painting, and have found its graceful, conventional drawing and its pleasing decorative effects not inferior to the realism and fidelity to nature praised in other periods. The general admiration accorded to the subtle, lyrical and aristo· cratic expression of abstract and spiritual conceptions which is the essence of Sienese painting, gives us some hope for the future develop ment of taste in Europe and for its artistic tendencies. F. Mason Perkins was the first to understand the aesthetic signific ance, not only of the principal artists of this school, but also of its minor members. His numerous articles on the "Little Masters" have been of great assistance to me in my attempt to write as complete a history as was possible of Sienese painting in the I4th century. I am only too glad to take this opportunity of paying homage to his profound knowledge and enthusiastic activity in this field of study. Other names that deserve mention here are those of Mr. Langton Douglas, the annotator of Crowe and Cavalcaselle and author of many important studies including a IIHistory of Siena"; and of Dr. G. De Nicola, Director of the National Museum, Florence, for among the many subjects with which he is conversant is the history of the Sienese school of painting, on which he has written articles of great value