SIMONE MARTINI
(b. 1280/85, Siena, d. 1344, Avignon)

Dream of St Martin (scene 2)

1320-25
Fresco, 265 x 200 cm
Cappella di San Martino, Lower Church, San Francesco, Assisi

Martin's generous gesture of the division of the cloak is followed by a dream, in which Christ reveals to him that he was really the beggar. Wrapped in the cloak, and pointing at Martin, Jesus addresses the host of angels accompanying him: some are shown praying, others listen to him with their arms crossed, while the mass of gold haloes helps give a sense of depth to the architectural setting. Meanwhile, Martin is sleeping under a blanket of typically Sienese fabric and Simone's realism is evident from one detail in particular: the border of the white sheet and the pillow are decorated with an embroidery called "drawn-thread" work, very fashionable at the time. The rigidity of the outstretched'body is intended to convey an intense spiritual participation in the message of Christ, and the way Martin's hand rests on his chest reveals excitement, as though he really were listening to the voice of the Lord.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.