“Scenes from the Life of Christ” is a revered artwork created by the Italian painter Duccio between 1308 and 1311. Rendered in tempera on wood, it exemplifies the Proto-Renaissance style and belongs to the Maesta series. The artwork serves as the back side of an altarpiece and is presently housed in the Duomo di Siena, located in Siena, Italy. As a religious painting, it portrays various events from the life of Jesus Christ.
The artwork is segmented into numerous small, intricately detailed panels, each narrating a distinct episode from the life of Christ. The uppermost row features figures and scenes within an architectural framework resembling a series of pointed arches and gables, crowned with ornate pinnacles. The central scene, the Crucifixion, is flanked by depictions of associated events. Various other vignettes capture significant moments such as the Last Supper, the Resurrection, and other crucial episodes from Christ’s ministry. The vibrant use of tempera, along with the gold leaf background, exemplifies the transitional style leading towards the Renaissance, marked by a heightened sense of realism and emotional expression.
