Lecture 9: Sienese Art in the 14th Century
at this wall in two parts: city and country, starting at the point that divides
them—the city wall and gate.In Effects of Good Government in the City, the architecture, a mix of
Romanesque and Gothic, commands the scene. In the upper left corner
is the black-and-white bell tower of the cathedral. Gray is the dominant
color of the foreground buildings, while behind them, deep red and light
pink buildings seem to introduce sunlight into the middle ground. This is a
city still in the making—we see a building with scaffolding and workmen
carrying materials and laying stone or brick. The townspeople and farmers
mingle on the streets, forming a line from the city gate at right that exits at
the lower left. This leads the eye toward the wall with the Allegory of Good
Government. The city gate at right shows people entering and leaving and
donkeys carrying goods accompanied by farmers. In front, there is a herd of
sheep, a woman carrying a basket on her head, and another woman holding a
fowl. There is bustling in the background—goods being exchanged or shops
being set up.The central architectural group is de¿ ned by a triple loggia: At the right is
a merchant setting out containers; in the middle is a schoolroom with the
schoolmaster addressing his pupils; and on the left is a shoemaker’s shop with
three artisans at work and one customer approaching. A group of ten women
dance in a circle while one keeps rhythm on her tambourine. This portrayal
is intended to symbolize the civility, culture, and pleasure of the city. In the
large arched opening in the next building are several men conversing and
perhaps gambling (the mural is damaged here). The building’s upper story
has elegant windows with single mullions. Note the small procession of
persons on horseback and on foot heading toward another gate.We next turn to Effects of Good Government in the Country. As donkeys
are coming in the gate, a pair of Sienese nobles is going out on a hawking
expedition in the country. In the foreground, men tend a vineyard and farmers
lead a hog and heavily laden donkeys up the steep slope, contrasting sharply
with the hunters. At the bottom of the hill, huntsmen and dogs are seen in the
¿ eld. In the lower right corner, more donkeys with produce from the country
cross a red stone bridge on their way to the city. Tuscan hills of many sizes
and shapes are in the background, some planted in vineyards, others perhaps