Andrea Vanni
Andrea Vanni (1332 – c. 1414) was an Italian painter of the early Renaissance, active mainly in his native Siena.
He was also involved in the foundation of the new government of Siena in 1368 and for twenty years held several different offices, including being elected to Great Council in 1370, Gonfaloniero in 1371, and sent on Envoys to the Pope in 1372 and again in 1384.
Prior to 2002, there was also a painting of St. Paul in the Palazzo Pubblico but it was acquired by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in the form of a gift from Mrs. W. Scott Fitz .
Additional works to his credit are a portrait of St. Catherine of Siena (who was rumored to be a relative of his), located in the church of San Domenico to commemorate the life of the saint, and a fragmented Crucifixion which was originally housed in the church of Alborino and is now in the Istituto delle Belle Arti.
Around 1400, Vanni painted another portrait of St. Catherine with scenes from the life of St. James in the chapel in San Jacomo Intercisco, but these works have disappeared.There is also a painting by Andrea Vanni in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Museum in Boston("Crucifixion With Saints").
Vanni's most famous work is a polyptych in the church of Santo Stefano alla Lizza.
There is almost no attempt at chiaroscuro except around the face and hands which gives the piece a rather flat effect, and is an example of Simone Martini's influence.
The Madonna has a large round head, narrow eyes, a delicate mouth, and a firm chin.
The Christ Child is said to be modeled after the prototype for Martini's fresco of the Majestas in the Palazzo della Signoria.
Another work may possibly be attributed to Vanni: a frescoed figure of St. John the Baptist on the left wall of a parish church in Basciano.
The case for Vanni being the artist includes figure parallels to the S. Francesco fresco and the kneeling St. John on the right-hand panel of the Corcoran triptych.
``Fare diligente inquisitione: Gian Pietro Carafa e le origini dei chierici regolari teatini".
