Ugolino di Nerio

Ugolino di Nerio (c. 1280–1349) was born in Siena into a family of painters and was active there and in Florence between about 1317 and 1327. He was a follower of Duccio, and some of his scenes derive clearly from Duccio's Maestà. From about 1320 a more personal style emerges, spiritual and elegant, its brighter colours perhaps influenced by Simone Martini. He helped carry Sienese painting to Florence, winning commissions in both of its main basilicas, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce. The high altarpiece of Santa Croce, the only work known to have been signed by him, was the most important of a series of commissions from the Franciscans. It was broken up around the start of the nineteenth century, and eleven of its panels are now in the National Gallery, London. Here: Virgin and Child.