Triptych - The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints
- Artist: Bernardo Daddi
- Date: 1338
- Medium: tempera on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the triptych, “The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints,” painted by Bernardo Daddi in 1338. The work was made in tempera on panel, a medium that allowed Daddi to layer shimmering gold leaf and vivid pigments with great precision. In the fourteenth‑century Florentine world, Daddi’s small devotional panels were prized by private patrons who carried them into intimate spaces for personal meditation on the life of Christ.
Daddi started as an apprentice of Giotto, who introduced a more naturalist approach to Italian painting. You can see that influence in the subtle sense of volume and the expressive faces in this piece. The Virgin’s serene countenance, the child’s gentle posture, and the surrounding saints all exhibit a quiet yet deliberate realism that moves the viewer inward. Daddi’s workshop was prolific, but this triptych stands out as one of the finest examples of his craftsmanship. The gilded background and luxurious pigments not only give the panel a radiant quality but also underscore the devotional purpose of the work.
Overall, the painting offers a remarkable glimpse into early Renaissance spirituality, blending technical skill with a heartfelt portrayal of sacred figures. It remains a striking testament to Daddi’s ability to transform modest, portable panels into objects of rare beauty and profound contemplation.
See it in person
Triptych - The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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