Masaccio

Masaccio
The success of an artist is many times measured over a lifetime.   From birth until death, each aspect of the artist’s life is examined and success shines in every way.   In the case of Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Mone, more commonly known as Masaccio, not much is known of his early life.   There are very few traces as to how he came to be the magnificent artist that he was.   His artwork, mostly focused around religion, was revolutionary and brilliant; influencing the world of art forever.  
Masaccio was born December 21, 1401.   His birth name, Tommaso di Ser Giovanni di Mone, was replaced with Masaccio (meaning “clumsy Tom”), in order to distinguish him from his partner Masolino (meaning “delicate Tom”).   The mystery of Masaccio revolves around his apprenticeship.   Nothing is known about Masaccio from the time of his birth until January 7, 1422.   On this date, Masaccio entered Arte dei Medici e Speziali, the Painters’ Guild of Florence.   However, at this time he exhibited the traits of a skilled painter.   He was at the stage where he could have his own workshop.   There are no traces of where he had been or what he had been doing for those first 21 years of his life, but one must assume he had been painting as an apprentice somewhere in order to come to possess the brilliant skills he had.   (Wikipedia)
One of Masaccio’s earliest works is Virgin and Child with St. Anne.   This work showed the influence of sculptor Donatello (with whom he was a contemporary in Florence) on Masaccio.   Donatello gave Masaccio knowledge in the classical art category; in essence leading him away from the Gothic style (Artists…).   The influence is displayed in the “realistic flesh textures and solidly round forms” (Biography).   It was skills such as these (and of course, many more) that led Masaccio to the opportunities that would eventually lead to his most famous works.
In 1424, Masaccio, along with his contemporary Masolino, was hired by Felice Brancacci in order to create...