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Masolino Facts

Masolino Facts
Masolino (Tommaso di Cristoforo Fini) was an Italian early Renaissance painter born in approximately 1383 near Panicale, Florence. Masolino may have apprenticed with Gherardo Starnina, and was a member of Lorenzo Ghiberti's workshop in Florence between 1403 and 1407. In 1920 Masolino was commissioned to paint the altarpiece for the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. In 1423 Masolino was admitted to the apothecaries' guild and soon began working on commissioned frescoes for Florence's Brancacci Chapel. Masolino created a vast number of works in his career including about 300 historical figures in Rome's Orsini Palace between 1433 and 1434.
Interesting Masolino Facts:
Masolino is sometimes referred to as Masolino da Panicale, because he was born in Panicale, near Florence
Masolino interrupted his work on the Brancacci Chapel frescoes to travel to Hungary, leaving Masaccio to continue the work until he returned in 1427. While on his trip to Hungary his patron was Pipo of Ozora, a mercenary and captain.
It is believed that Masolino was the first to create paintings using oil, in the 1420s. Some previously believed it was Jan van Eyck in the 1430s.
During Masolino's lifetime he was commissioned by various religious leaders to create works of art including Pope Martin V, and Cardinal Branda Castiglione, who also hired him to work for him personally after 1435.
Cardinal Branda Castiglione commissioned Masolino to paint Rome's Basilica di San Clemente's Saint Catherine Chapel.
Masolino's works found today in Florence include "Capella Brancacci" (Brancacci Chapel), "Madonna and Child, Saint Anne and the Angels", and "Madonna dell'Umilta". The Chapel Brancacci is sometimes referred to as the 'Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance'.
Masolino's works found today in Empoli include "Cristo in Pieta" (at museum of the Collegiata de Sant'Andrea), "Saint Ivo and the Pupils" (at the Church of Saint Steven), and "Virgin and Child" (also at the Church of Saint Steven).
Masolino's works found today in Rome include the fresco "Life of Catherine of Alexandria", the fresco "The Annunciation", the fresco "St. Christopher" all at the Chapel of Sacrament, and "Death of the Virgin", and "Crucifixion" found at Pinacoteca Vaticana.
Masolino's works found today in Castiglione Olona for Branda da Castiglione include "Hungarian Landscape" in the Palazzo Branda Castiglione, "Story of the Virgin" at the Collegiata, and the series of frescoes depicting "St. John the Baptist" in Castiglione Olona's Baptistery.
Masolino's work found today in Naples includes "Miracle of the Snow" in the National Museum and Gallery of Capodimonte.
Masolino's work found today in France includes "Julian the Hospitaller" at Musee Ingres.
Masolino's work found today in Germany includes "Madonna and Child".
Masolino's works found today in the U.S. includes "The Annunciation", "The Archangel Gabriel", and "The Virgin Annunciate".
Masolino was 64 years old when he died in 1447 in Florence.
Masolino's most famous works include the frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel, and "Madonna with Child and St. Anne".
Although Masolino worked with Masaccio on several pieces of art, including the frescoes at Brancacci Chapel, his style was more decorative and his figures more delicate.


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