The moody, unfiltered emotions of Saints Matthew and Francis showcase Giovanni’s interest in depicting strongly expressive figures. The artist found inspiration for his implacable saints in the sculpture of his great compatriot Jacopo della Quercia. These two figures are from a major altarpiece. A scene from the base (predella) is also in the Museum and shows the presentation in the temple. Giovanni’s experimentation with foreshortening can be seen here in the lettering on the haloes, which changes size in accordance with the tilt of the figures’ heads. Tempera on wood with a gold ground, overall 138.7 x 88.3 cm.
Source: metmuseum.org
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