Madonna and child enthroned with angels

The "Madonna and child enthroned with angels" was painted by the Florentine, Taddeo Gaddi, one of Giotto's most influential pupils. Gaddi's work thus bears a close influence from his master. His ensembles are characterized by their dynamism, foreshortening and dramatic effects of light. However, rather than being solely a rigid imitator of Giotto, Gaddi was a painter who combined the artistic contexts of his day with the teachings of his master. The painting portrays Mary sitting as a queen on a throne with her son, Jesus on her lap. He is shown to be holding on to his mother's finger with his left hand and a goldfinch with his right hand. The finch is a recurring symbol attributed to the images of baby Jesus. It can either connote the soul in his hands or foreshadow the salvation brought through his death. Immediately beside the throne stands two angels, often identified as Mary Magdalene and Catherine of Alexandria. They are dressed in red and offer a pyx, a crown and ornaments. Below the throne, four angels offer vases of flowers to mother Mary and baby Jesus. Inscriptions are done on the throne step reading- "Taddeus Gaddi de Florentia me pinxit". Inscriptions on the carpet state that the panel was commissioned by Giovanni Segni. Gaddi's paintings demonstrate that his receptivity to new iconography did not diminish. Naturalism of the earlier, active Christ gave way to a more passive portrayal emphasizing the supernatural. However, it has been deemed that for this piece the patron Segni may have preferred an unfashionable style. The panel thus successfully synthesizes both Giottesque training and anti Giottesque tendencies of Florentine art after the mid century. Besides the 1334 triptych in Berlin, this Uffizi panel is his only other signed and dated work and thus aids in understanding Taddeo's style.