Sano di Pietro

Based on his better-known devotional works, however, Sano could be described as a charming and conservative artist, who did not explore new avenues but was content to produce predictable religious images for private contemplation, as well as altarpieces. This made him extremely popular and required a large studio to cope with demand. However, autograph works by him show a very high level of craftsmanship, probably reinforced by his work as a miniaturist for major institutions like the Opera Metropolitana di Siena, and the monastery of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Sano has been called the Fra Angelico (ca. 1395–1455) of Siena. This is understandable in view of his beguiling spiritual charm, but Fra Angelico is a more progressive artist than he first appears, especially in his frescoes in the monks’ cells at the monastery of San Marco in Florence. Sano was content to remain within a well-defined conservative ambiance, which at least secured his popularity if not his later critical reputation. Some have associated his work with Sienese quattrocento mysticism, with the Franciscan observance movement promoted by San Bernardino of Siena and the Sienese order of the Gesuati. Indeed, his Gesuati Triptych of 1444, today in the Siena museum, is his earliest dated work. As a prolific artist, paintings by Sano are more likely than other early Sienese painters to appear on the art market. Short of that, when seen in situ in Tuscan churches, their usually good condition and clarity of detail and composition make them well worth looking at.