Artwork
Madonna with the child, St. John the Baptist, St. Francis and St. Anthony and a martyr
Madonna with the child, St. John the Baptist, St. Francis and St. Anthony and a martyr is a paint painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Agnolo Gaddi. It dates from 1375 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. Created circa 1375, this tempera panel presents the Virgin Mary with the infant Christ surrounded by four holy figures.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1375, this tempera panel presents the Virgin Mary with the infant Christ surrounded by four holy figures. The central pair is framed by Saint John the Baptist, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Anthony the Great and an unidentified martyr, forming a balanced devotional grouping typical of late‑fourteenth‑century Florentine art.
Subject & Meaning
Together they invite contemplation of salvation and virtuous conduct.
The work reflects a conventional theological program: the Madonna and Child symbolize divine intercession, while the accompanying saints represent varied aspects of Christian piety—John the Baptist as forerunner, Francis as embodiment of humility, Anthony as ascetic exemplar, and the martyr as testimony to faith’s ultimate sacrifice. Together they invite contemplation of salvation and virtuous conduct.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera on panel, the painting retains the linear clarity and gold‑leaf embellishments inherited from Byzantine iconography, yet hints at the emerging naturalism of Giotto’s circle. Figures are rendered with solid contours, limited modeling, and a restrained palette of deep reds, muted blues and gilded accents that underscore their sacred status.
History & Provenance
The piece is attributed to Agnolo Gaddi, son and apprentice of Taddeo Gaddi, who himself followed Giotto’s innovations. Agnolo worked both as a painter and mosaicist before turning to mercantile pursuits in Venice later in life. The panel’s documented ownership prior to modern collections remains sparse, reflecting the typical gaps in provenance for works of this period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Agnolo Gaddi (c.1350–1396) was an Italian painter. He was born and died in Florence, and was the son of the painter Taddeo Gaddi, who was himself the major pupil of the Florentine master Giotto. Agnolo was a painter…
