Sinopie for the Coronation of the Virgin

The detachment of the fresco brought to light the sinopie, or underdrawing, which the artist sketched onto the wall before applying the final coat of plaster and that would have served him as a guide as he proceeded with his work. What is unusual in this case is that three layers of sinopie have been uncovered. The first, in red ochre, shows a composition different from the final one, evidently rejected for some unknown reason. The third, in yellow ochre and the most ruined in condition, is the one actually carried to completion. The intermediary layer in green earth (terra verde) is a study of heads, figures and hands which have nothing whatsoever to do with the final composition. Clearly a prepared plastered wall often served as a practice surface for the whole studio. The profile of the bearded man recalls the portraits of Roman emperors painted by Altichiero in the loggia of Cansignorio della Scala (1364 circa).