Description
The Baroncelli Polyptych, centered on the Coronation of the Virgin, is one of the major panel ensembles of Giotto's mature period. It remains on the altar of the Baroncelli Chapel in Santa Croce, for which it was created, and is exceptional because it is still preserved in its original location. The central compartment shows Christ crowning the Virgin, while the four side panels contain a multitude of saints, musician angels and singing angels. Santa Croce counts more than 120 figures, distinguished by a remarkable variety of faces, attitudes, instruments, halos and colors.
Although physically divided into five panels, the polyptych creates an unusually unified pictorial space. Some inflate their cheeks while playing wind instruments, a detail highlighted by Santa Croce as evidence of Giotto's naturalistic observation.





