AFTER DUCCIO DA BUONINSEGNA (SIENA D. 1319)
Head of the Madonna
tempera on panel with incising to the gilt ground
33 x 21 cm

A 19th version possibly after one of Duccio's Madonna with Child

Duccio di Buoninsegna (c. 1255-1260 – c. 1318-1319) an Italian painter from Siena, Tuscany. He was one of the most important artists of the 14th century and is considered a founder of the Sienese school of painting. His works are characterised by their delicacy, softness, and naturalism, as well as their decorative qualities and rich use of colour.

Duccio is most famous for his altarpiece paintings, which include the Maestà, a large polyptych commissioned for the Siena Cathedral in 1308. This altarpiece is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of medieval painting and is renowned for its vivid colours, intricate details, and emotional expressiveness.

Duccio's style was highly influential, and he had a significant impact on the development of Italian art. His innovative use of light and shade, as well as his ability to convey complex emotions, were highly influential on subsequent generations of artists. His work also helped to establish Siena as a major center of art in Italy.