Masaccio

Masaccio - The Clumsy Tom

Masaccio was born in December 21, 1401 at Tommaso di Ser, Giovanni di Mone (Simone) Cassai. He was a Florentine artist popularly known as the first great Italian painter of the Italian Renaissance's Quattrocento period. While talking about the first truly Renaissance artist, the name first comes Masaccio. His father was a notary named Ser Giovanni di Simone Cassai, and his mother was the daughter of an innkeeper named Monna Iacopa. He and his brother Giovanni showed interest in painting and became painters in the later period. If looking into their family background, nobody belonged to the artist career. But, it can not be ignored that his grandfather was a wooden cabinets maker (cassoni), and his family name Cassai derived from the word "carpenter" in the Italian language. In his artistic career, he earned a nickname called lo Scheggia (the splinter). In his artwork, he was implying the rational approach to do the Florence work. 

His Important artistic works:

San Giovenale Triptych (1422):  It is the earliest known work by the Florentine artist Masaccio. This artwork was commissioned by Florence's Vanni Castellani family, who were the residence of the San Lorenzo church. This painting was developed as an altarpiece, represents the Virgin and Child's typical scene on its central panel. 

Madonna and Child with St Anne (1424-25):

This painting was designed after the San Giovenale Triptych. The Madonna and Child with St Anne represent the picture of the Virgin and child along with the sitting mother. 

Payment of the Tribute Money (1425-27):

Masaccio painted payment of the Tribute Money in collaboration with the painter Masolino in between the years 1425 to 1427. This painting represents the life of St Peter.  

His death

He took his last breath in the summer of 1428 at Rome, Papal States. At that time, he was only 26 years. His death was very early, but his contributions to the painting world are always unforgettable.