Who painted Saint Francis raises a child from the dead?

Saint Francis raises a child from the dead was painted by Taddeo Gaddi in 1335.

Where can I see Saint Francis raises a child from the dead?

Saint Francis raises a child from the dead is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Saint Francis raises a child from the dead?

Saint Francis raises a child from the dead is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Francis raises a child from the dead

Taddeo Gaddi , 1335

Saint Francis raises a child from the dead is an oil painting by the Early Renaissance artist Taddeo Gaddi. It dates from 1335 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1335 by Florentine artist Taddeo Gaddi, this oil painting portrays Saint Francis performing a miracle—raising a dead child. The work is presently part of the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin and exemplifies the early Renaissance shift toward narrative depth and emotional expression.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on Saint Francis lifting a lifeless child, a visual reference to the saint’s reputed ability to restore life. Surrounding onlookers, some kneeling in prayer, underscore the devotional atmosphere and the miraculous nature of the event, inviting contemplation of faith and divine intervention.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on panel, Gaddi employs a palette of blues, reds, and yellows to model forms and convey drama. Subtle contrasts of light and shadow create a nascent chiaroscuro effect, enhancing the three‑dimensionality of the figures and the emotional intensity of the scene.

History & Provenance

Taddeo Gaddi, son of painter Gaddo Gaddi, trained in Giotto’s workshop from 1313 until Giotto’s death in 1337, later emerging as a leading Florentine artist. The painting entered the Berlin Gemäldegalerie collection in the 20th century, where it remains on display.

Context

The work reflects the early Renaissance’s move away from purely symbolic medieval iconography toward more naturalistic representation. Gaddi’s background as a mosaicist, architect, and merchant informed his multidisciplinary approach, while his association with Giotto’s workshop situates the painting within the broader evolution of Florentine art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Taddeo Gaddi

Taddeo Gaddi (c. 1290 – 1366) was a medieval Italian painter and architect. He was born in Florence. He was the son of the painter Gaddo di Zanobi, called Gaddo Gaddi. He was a member of Giotto's workshop from 1313…