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Image: Margarito d’Arezzo, detail of the Nativity in the panel painting Madonna and Child enthroned with four Saints (c. 1250). Photo Francesca Piqué (¾«¶«Ó°Òµ)

The conference offers a unique opportunity to explore the historical and artistic context of Margarito d’Arezzo’s paintings. Although still relatively understudied, the master from Arezzo was one of the leading painters of 13th-century Tuscany. 

This interdisciplinary three day conference will bring together scholars, specialists, and professionals working on all aspects of Duecento painting, from art historical studies to scientific analysis, conservation, technical research and museography. 
 
The conference will provide an exceptional platform to discuss the art historical context and history of acquisition of Margarito d’Arezzo’s paintings. It will also present the analytical results from recent studies of paintings by Margarito and his contemporaries in the region, which will improve knowledge of the 13th-century painting technology. The scope of the conference will also encompass contemporary polychrome sculpture, wall paintings and manuscript illumination.

The conference is the result of collaboration between a prestigious network of international partners:

• Conservation and Restoration Sector of the Institute of Materials and Constructions ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ-University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (Department of Environment Constructions and Design)
• Direzione regionale musei della Toscana 
• Museo Nazionale d’Arte Medievale e Moderna, Arezzo
• The National Gallery, London
• National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

The event will take place from Thursday 9th October to Saturday 11th October 2025 at the Museo Nazionale d’Arte Medievale e Moderna, Arezzo, with presentations given in Italian or English. Participation is free, but registration is required by 1st September 2025:

Discover the flyer and programme. 

The three-day programme also includes visits to the Museo Nazionale d’Arte Medievale e Moderna and to Santa Maria delle Vertighe, the oldest Marian shrine in the Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro. This is attached to a monastery and houses the Madonna and Child enthroned with four Saints, painted by Margarito d’Arezzo together with Restoro d’Arezzo.

For further information:
duecento@supsi.ch

Margarito d’Arezzo 

Referred to as Margaritone by Vasari, who celebrated him in his Lives of the most excellent painters, sculptors and architects (1568), Margarito (c. 1240–1290) was the leading painter from 13th century Arezzo. In the vibrant cultural and artistic crossroads that was medieval Arezzo, Margarito stood out for his expressive style, use of colour and distinctive – and more unusual – practice of signing his paintings. A number of works by Margarito are on display at the Museo Nazionale d’Arte Medievale e Moderna, Arezzo, such as the Madonna and Child enthroned with four Saints from Montelungo and the two St. Francis paintings. In addition, the Virgin and Child enthroned with four Saints, a gold-ground masterpiece by Margarito d’Arezzo and the monk Restoro d’Arezzo, will be seen during the visit to Santa Maria delle Vertighe.