Matthew Revives Boy

Orcagna's Matthew Revives a Boy belongs to the hagiographic narrative cycle depicting the miracles attributed to the apostle-evangelist in the regions where he preached. Andrea di Cione (Orcagna) was the dominant figure in Florentine art in the third quarter of the Trecento, combining painting, sculpture, and architecture in a career that shaped the direction of Florentine art after the plague devastation of 1348. His hagiographic narratives for Florentine churches demonstrated his mastery of multi-figure compositions with the spatial clarity and emotional directness inherited from Giotto, here showing the apostle's miraculous power over death.

Executed in tempera on panel with gold ground, the narrative composition arranges figures in a compressed, relief-like space characteristic of Orcagna's approach to storytelling. Bold outlines and restrained color harmonies create legible, dramatic scenes designed for viewing at altarpiece distance.