St. Peter Enthroned is a painting commissioned by Ser Giuliano degli Scarsi and created by Masaccio in the early 15th century. It was part of a series of frescoes known as the Brancacci Chapel, which depict the life of St. Peter and the theme of human sin and redemption.
Masaccio was heavily influenced by architect Filippo Brunelleschi’s drawings of perspective and incorporated this technique in his art. His mastery of linear perspective and vanishing points resulted in natural-looking scenes and lifelike figures. Masaccio’s approach to the human form was unparalleled in his time, which earned him the title of the best painter of his generation by Italian painter and historian Vasari.
Unfortunately, Masaccio died at a young age of twenty-six, and little is known about his death. St. Peter Enthroned remains a testament to the creativity and talent of this legendary artist. Its depiction of St. Peter sitting regally on a throne, surrounded by angels and cherubs, is breathtaking and showcases the growing sense of realism in art during the Renaissance.
