Trinity (1427-28) by Masaccio

Trinity - Masaccio - 1427-28

Artwork Information

TitleTrinity
ArtistMasaccio
Date1427-28
MediumFresco
Dimensions21' 10 1/2" x 10' 4 7/8" (6.67 x 3.17 m)
Current LocationSanta Maria Novella, Florence

About Trinity

“The Trinity” is an artwork created by Masaccio between 1427 and 1428. This fresco stands as a notable piece of early Renaissance art and is found in the Santa Maria Novella in Florence. Masaccio utilized the medium of fresco to achieve this work, which measures 21 feet 10 and a half inches by 10 feet 4 and seven eighths inches (6.67 x 3.17 meters).

The artwork depicts a range of symbolic and religious elements placed within a sturdy architectural framework reminiscent of classical antiquity. At the painting’s center is the figure of Jesus Christ on the cross, with God the Father standing behind it, encompassing the cross’s outline with His arms. Hovering above the cross is a dove, representing the Holy Spirit, hence completing the Holy Trinity.

Beneath the crucifix, the Virgin Mary is presented on the left side, identifiable by her somber expression and her traditional blue and red garb, interacting with the viewer through her direct gaze. To the right, St. John the evangelist is also depicted, identified by his contemplative look and his location opposite the Virgin Mary. Both are portrayed as solemn witnesses to the crucifixion.

Below this primary scene, a skeleton lies on a sarcophagus that serves both as a memento mori, a reminder of the transience of life and inevitably of death, and a testimony to Christ’s role as a savior in Christian belief. The inscribed text translates to “I was once what you are and what I am you also will be,” reinforcing the artwork’s contemplation of mortality and salvation.

Masaccio’s mastery in creating the illusion of three-dimensional space through linear perspective is on full display here. The coffered barrel vault and the use of foreshortening draw the viewer’s eye into the depth of the painting, creating a convincingly realistic architectural setting for this sacred narrative. The precision of the perspective and the solemnity of the figures combined with the rich symbolism make “The Trinity” a monumental example of early Renaissance art that continues to inspire awe and reverence.

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