Madonna and Child Enthroned (Maesta) 1285

Cimabue's "Madonna and Child Enthroned (Maesta)" is a monumental tempera painting from 1285, currently housed in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary seated on a throne, holding the Christ child, with a majestic array of angels surrounding them. This painting is considered a masterpiece of the Italian Proto-Renaissance period, showcasing Cimabue's masterful use of color and the introduction of a more natural, less stylized representation of figures compared to earlier Byzantine art. It is notable for its realistic portrayal of the figures and its sophisticated use of light and shadow.