“The Apostles of Maria (Fragment)” is a religious painting created by the artist Duccio between 1308 and 1311. Made with tempera on wood, it is a part of the Maestà series and is recognized as an important work of the Proto Renaissance art movement. This era was known for the beginnings of a shift towards a more naturalistic style that would eventually characterize the Renaissance.
The artwork depicts a scene with figures that are commonly interpreted as the Virgin Mary and several apostles. Mary is shown in a dominant blue cloak, occupying the central portion of the composition, reclining and likely expressing sorrow, which suggests that this scene could represent a moment from the Passion of Christ, such as the Lamentation. The faces of all the figures show individuality and emotion, an artistic element that was becoming more prominent in this period. They are portrayed with halos, signifying their holy status, and their gestures and expressions seem to convey a narrative, involving the viewer in the emotive content of the scene. The background and architectural elements are depicted in a stylized manner typical of the era, with gold leaf used for the halos to create a sense of the divine.
