he established a great reputation in Siena as of his very first commission, the fresco of the \i Maestα\i0 that he painted in the cityÆs Palazzo Pubblico in 1315. Subsequently, he worked for the House of Anjou (panel depicting \i St. Louis of Toulouse
Crowning Robert of Anjou\i0 , Capodimonte, Naples) and at Assisi, on the decoration of the chapel of San Martino in the Lower Basilica. In 1336 he moved to Avignon together with many of his collaborators, working there until his death (1344) as official
painter to the papal court. His painting was the expression of a profound understanding of French Gothic culture and, in turn, SimoneÆs stay at Avignon permitted the diffusion of Sienese art in Europe.