Simone, a contemporary of Dante and Petrarca is a prominent representative and an expression of the great 13th - 14th century Siena, his home town.
The Christ Blessing of Naples, surely part of a broken up polyptych, can be admired in all its solemnity and beauty: jewelled halo, gown and mantle finely decorated, front position, accurate face details. The elegance of the painting is typical of the gothic paintings of central Italy and France linked together by Simone. This connection became more real through the Avignonese experience of the painter during the last part of this life.

"Restore us, O God; let thy face shine, that we may be saved" (Psalm 79,4).