Masaccio

Masaccio, think "Massive" and "Masterful" – that's the key to his style! He revolutionized Early Renaissance painting with a sense of monumental figures grounded in reality.

Here's what defines his work:

• Realism: Ditching flat, decorative styles, he painted figures with believable weight, anatomy, and emotion.
• Perspective: He mastered linear perspective, creating deep, convincing space within his paintings – a new visual language.
• Chiaroscuro: Dramatic use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) sculpts his figures, adding volume and emotional intensity.
• Humanism: He focused on the human experience and the emotional depth of his figures, giving them a relatable, universal quality.
• Themes: Often depicting biblical scenes, he emphasized the human drama and struggle within those stories, rather than idealized perfection.

Masaccio's powerful, realistic style laid the foundation for the Renaissance as we know it!