Rendering of the Tribute Money (detail) – (Masaccio (Ser Giovanni, Mone Cassai)) ◄ Previous Next ►

Artist: Masaccio (Ser Giovanni, Mone Cassai)

Style: Italian Renaissance

Topic: Religious

Technique: Oil

Masaccio, the Artist

was an Italian Early Renaissance painter who is often compared to contemporaries like Donatello and Brunelleschi as a pioneer of the renaissance. He is best known for his use of single-point perspective and lifelike figures in his paintings. Masaccio's works were influential in the development of Renaissance art, particularly in Florence where he produced most of his masterpieces.

The Rendering of the Tribute Money

is a fresco painted by Masaccio between 1423 and 1425 in the Brancacci Chapel of the basilica of Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence. The painting is widely considered among Masaccio's best work, and a vital part of the development of Renaissance art.

Significance in Italian Renaissance Art

The Rendering of the Tribute Money diverges somewhat from the biblical story, but it tells the story in three parts that do not occur sequentially. The scene depicted is drawn from Matthew 17:24–27 and shows a Roman tax collector demanding tax money from Christ and the twelve apostles who don’t have the money to pay. Masaccio's use of single-point perspective, lifelike figures, and naturalistic lighting in this painting was groundbreaking for its time and had a significant impact on the development of Renaissance art.

The Brancacci Chapel

The Brancacci Chapel, where The Rendering of the Tribute Money is located, was founded around 1366/7 by Pietro Brancacci and passed to his nephew, Felice Brancacci. The chapel is home to many other frescoes painted by Masaccio and another artist named Masolino, all telling the story of the life of St. Peter (considered to be the first Pope).

Visit Wikioo.org

If you're interested in learning more about Masaccio or other Italian Renaissance artists, visit Wikioo.org's Art Movements page. You can also find many reproductions of famous artwork from the Italian Renaissance period on our website.

References

• The Tribute Money (Masaccio) - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tribute_Money_(Masaccio)
• Masaccio, The Tribute Money in the Brancacci Chapel - Khan Academy, https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/early-renaissance1/painting-in-florence/a/masaccio-the-tribute-money-in-the-brancacci-chapel
• The Tribute Money | Description, History, & Facts - Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Tribute-Money
• Masaccio, The Tribute Money and the Brancacci Chapel - Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/masaccio-the-tribute-money-in-the-brancacci-chapel/
• Tribute Money, By Masaccio: Analysis, Interpretation - Visual Arts Cork, http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-paintings/tribute-money-masaccio.htm
• The Tribute Money by Masaccio - The History of Art, https://www.thehistoryofart.org/masaccio/tribute-money/
• Masaccio, The Tribute Money in the Brancacci Chapel - Khan Academy, https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/early-renaissance1/painting-in-florence/v/masaccio-the-tribute-money-1427
• Masaccio’s Tribute Money - Humanities LibreTexts, https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-arthistory2/chapter/masaccios-tribute-money/
• Masaccio - Renaissance, Frescoes, Brancacci Chapel | Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Masaccio/The-Brancacci-Chapel
• 4.11: Masaccio’s Tribute Money - Humanities LibreTexts, https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Art/Art_History_II_(Lumen)/04%3A_14001500Art_in_Italy/4.11%3A_Masaccios_Tribute_Money../..