Madonna Enthroned with the Child, St. Francis and Four Angels 1280

Cimabue painted this large fresco of the Madonna Enthroned with the Child, St. Francis and Four Angels around 1280, using pigments applied to a fresh plaster surface. The fresco technique required careful layering, building up the image through successive applications of color. Look closely and you’ll see the texture of the plaster beneath, lending a tactile quality to the scene. Unlike portable panel paintings, frescoes such as these were literally built into the architecture, and are fixed in place. Consider the labor involved in preparing the wall, mixing the pigments, and executing the painting with precision and speed before the plaster dried. This was no solitary act of artistic genius, but a collaborative effort involving skilled artisans. The painting's location also speaks volumes. By placing the artwork in a sacred space, Cimabue’s fresco served as a focal point for devotion, reinforcing the power of the church.