The Coronation of the Virgin

Puccio di Simone worked in Florence around 1350. The Coronation of the Virgin is the central panel of a polyptych, which probably consisted of five panels and a predella. The Gemäldegalerie in Berlin has two side panels, portraying St Catherine and St Laurence respectively, in its collection. The panel in Ghent looks quite modern for its time because of the…

Puccio di Simone worked in Florence around 1350. The Coronation of the Virgin is the central panel of a polyptych, which probably consisted of five panels and a predella. The Gemäldegalerie in Berlin has two side panels, portraying St Catherine and St Laurence respectively, in its collection. The panel in Ghent looks quite modern for its time because of the lavish use of gold embellishment. Christ is depicted placing a golden crown on the head of his mother, the Virgin Mary, which was a very popular theme in Christian art. At their feet six angel musicians celebrate the apotheosis of Mary’s life. In keeping with medieval tradition, the angels are much smaller, indicating their subordinate position in the hierarchy of figures. The decorative background and lack of perspective add a celestial atmosphere.