The Nativity
Taddeo Gaddi, The Nativity, 1335, paint and gold leaf on panel, Gift of Mrs. Charlotte A. Maser, public domain, 69.68
This work is not currently on view.
- Title
The Nativity
- Artist
- Date
1335
- Period
Late Medieval (ca. 1250-ca. 1500)
- Medium
paint and gold leaf on panel
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
14 1/8 in x 7 in
- Collection Area
European Art
- Category
Paintings
- Object Type
painting
- Culture
Florentine
- Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Charlotte A. Maser
- Accession Number
69.68
- Copyright
public domain
- Terms
Gaddi was the godson, long-time assistant, and closest follower of Giotto, the great pioneer of the Florentine proto-Renaissance. This panel, which scholars believe is based on a work by Giotto, shows the master's influence in the use of solid pyramidal forms for the figures of Mary and Joseph and the convincing illusion of space around the figures, enhancing their three-dimensionality. Taddeo has also lessened the flatness of the tooled gold sky by making the uppermost shepherd and angel gesture toward each other diagonally across space.
