Master of St Cecilia


The Master of St Cecilia is the notname given to an Italian painter active circa 1290 to 1320 in Florence and its environs.

Identity and works

The artist has not been identified. The inscriptions and poses in some of his works show his familiarity with Ancient Roman mosaics and possibly point to the artist's link with, or origin in, Rome. A number of works are attributed to him including the altarpiece of St Cecilia Enthroned in the Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence. His notname 'Master of St Cecilia' derives from that painting.
Some of the frescoes from the Legend of St Francis in the Upper Church of San Francesco, Assisi are attributed to him. Also given to this painter is the altarpiece of St Margaret with Six Scenes from Her Life in the Santa Margherita a Montici in Arcetri, Florence.
While his style shows his familiarity with the naturalist tendencies of Giotto, he forged his own style, which developed parallel to that of Giotto. The artist had a significant influence on Bernardo Daddi and other painters in Florence.