The artwork titled “Renunciation of Peter (Fragment)” was created by the artist Duccio between the years 1308 and 1311. It is a religious painting crafted using tempera on wood and is a part of the “Maesta” series. The work hails from the Proto Renaissance art movement.
The image depicts a scene of intense emotional interaction among several figures, portraying the moment of Peter’s renunciation. The figures are rendered with attention to drapery and individual expression, characteristics of the Proto Renaissance period which sought to reintroduce the naturalism and humanism seen in classical art. Each figure is cloaked in garments that hang and fold in a realistic manner, exemplifying the period’s evolving artistic skill in portraying three-dimensional forms and spaces. The figures’ expressions convey a sense of drama and narrative, engaging the viewer with a moment of high emotion and spiritual significance. The painting uses a warm, earthy palette, and the artist’s use of light and shadow adds depth to the figures, enhancing their volume and the space they inhabit.
