MASACCIO DI S. GIOVANNI
Painter of Valdarno
(1401-1428)





User Comments:

    Name: sean hagarty
    Date: 2002-06-03
    Comments: a masterful piece using both exellent drapery and good use of 2 point prespective, well done masaccio

    Name: student
    Date: 2002-10-17
    Comments: In the painting i noticed on the mountain closest to the right hand side there seems to be a face of a man, its near the bottom of the mountain the face is a side view and it is looking downward. You can clearly see the eyes and the nose, and if you concentrate even more you can see the rest of the face. I don't know if it was meant to be there or if i'm just seeing things!

    Name: Unknown
    Date: 2003-10-09
    Comments: On the side wall of the building on the right hand side,I can make out the silohette of a face. Its just the right side of a face-an eye, the nose and half the mouth. Can't make out a face in the mountain though

    Name: Phillip Tucker
    Date: 2004-02-29
    Comments: This is a wonderful piece. The central point being on Christ, as he instructs a reluctant Peter to pay the temple messenger. In the background Peter catches a fish which holds a coin in its mouth he is to pay the tax collector with.

    Phillip Tucker

    Name: Greg Hamrick
    Date: 2004-03-06
    Comments: The painting has the dominate presence of desolation. It also depicts the dominence of the requirement to pay taxes to the church, no matter who the person is. Even though Peter pays the tax, he does not necessarily agree with it.

    Name: student-421-82-3810-ASU
    Date: 2004-03-15
    Comments: In the painting it has three different scenes as if to tell a story. But he painting the men and the building and its like he was tired of painting anymore and he did not put any interest in the background.

    Name: Jenn C
    Date: 2004-03-16
    Comments: I like the background effect of lighter colors and atmospheric perpective. I also like the way one work has the enitre story in area, but is separated by perpective or structure. The work show a more realistic look at life in art.

    Name: Carla Elrod
    Date: 2004-03-16
    Comments: The artistic form captures the imagination and throws one into a time warp. The facial expressions and drape of garments are astounding. The barren trees and majestic mountains force the eyes center stage. Can't you just hear their voices...

    Name: Melissa(student)
    Date: 2004-03-16
    Comments: I think this piece makes you feel like you are actually watching the events unfold. Christ is at the focal point of the whole painting. I think the overall theme being conveyed is that the people should pay their taxes and give to the church (and give even more than what is required).

    Name: Donnell Campbell
    Date: 2004-03-16
    Comments: Masaccio includes three different moments the story in the same scene (a technique known as "continuous narrative"): At center, Peter asks Jesus why he should have to pay the tax collector's since his allegiance is only to God and not the Romans. Jesus’ response is to "give to the Romans what is due to them and to the Lord what is due to Him. He instructs Peter to find the money by going fishing (at the left, Peter extracts a coin from the fish's mouth); and, to the right, Peter hands the tribute money to the tax collector in front of his house.

    Name: Paige Hicks
    Date: 2004-03-17
    Comments: This is a beautiful painting depicting Christ's commanding to Peter to catch a fish in order to pay the required tax. I love the colors.

    Name: K. Brake
    Date: 2004-03-18
    Comments: I would like to have seen this painting with the leaves on the trees. Right now the land looks barren. I wonder if anyone has produced a replica with the trees in full foliage?

    Name: T. Kool
    Date: 2007-04-03
    Comments: The reasons the colors in the background seem so dim, is because the work has been severely damaged by fires, and it hasn't been taken care of very well in the past. You should search for the cleaned version of this fresco as it expresses the true beauty of this piece.

    The faces you people make out are a result of imagination and dirt on the work.

    Name: Unknown
    Date: 2007-05-09
    Comments: I fell that Maccaccio wanted to express the Church of his time and point out the similarity to the Pharisees in the background which the Church and Pharisees often went for political power instead of sticking with religion.


Leave a comment on this work:
Name (optional):
Email (optional):
Comments:




Index of Artists