REVIEW: Siena, The Rise of Painting 1300–1350 at the National Gallery

On the face of it, this doesn't seem an obvious choice for families. Concentrating on four painters, Duccio di Buoninsegna, the Lorenzetti brothers and Simone Martini, in a flourishing 13th and 14th century Siena, the images are almost entirely religious. But, WOW, the immediacy and beauty of the representations, the colour and life in the bible stories are astonishing.

Dispatch younger children to count how many versions of the Madonna and Child they can find (including a surprising number of red-headed Christ Childs!)

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There are several Annunciations - compare the different expressions on Mary's face, from Ambrogio Lorenzetti's beatific acceptance to Simone Martine's 'What, me, really?' look.

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Older children can marvel at the ancient manuscripts, the delicate brushwork that is nearly 1000 years old. And pity poor Saint Agatha, whose gruesome end is depicted in an illuminated choir book.

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Hurrah for the National Gallery, U18s are free. So if you have an interest in Medieval art, go and take the kids. If anything is going to convince them that European alter pieces are not - yawn - soo boring, it is this.

Siena: The Rise of Painting1300–1350 National Gallery, 8 March–22 June. Tickets from £20 adults, U18s free.

Emily Turner