Maestà (detail)
by DUCCIO di Buoninsegna, Tempera on wood
Above the main picture, a painted arcaded gallery extends both sides of the throne. In its semi-circular arches, half-length figures of Apostles are depicted. The frieze-like line of Christ’s disciples gives the impression that they are all looking down from above on the events, in which two of them - St Peter and St John are taking part. In contrast to identification by Characteristic attributes - usual from the thirteenth century onwards - here the Apostles follow an even older tradition, and can be identified only by their abbreviated names.
The picture shows the right part of this gallery, the figures are (from the left) St Matthew, St Jacob the Younger, St Bartholomew, St Thomas, and St Matthias.