A monumental, quietly spectacular show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350,” has achieved just that, showcasing the subtle but sparkling beauty of Siena ...

I found myself drawn to “Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350,” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of a show.

A sweeping show at the Met focuses on the Tuscan city’s pivotal role in Renaissance art, where painters such as Duccio and Simone Martini depicted religious scenes in vibrant detail and with ...