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Bernardo Daddi disciple of Giotto

The Assumption of the Virgin. Bernardo Daddi. ca. 1337–39. Tempera on wood, gold ground: (Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

By Art in Tuscany

May 30, 2025
3:26 pm
Los Angeles, CA

Bernardo Daddi (active ca. 1280-1348) was one of the most important Florentine painters of the first half of the fourteenth century. It is now generally thought that he was taught by Giotto himself, and he remained closely acquainted with his workshop and following. Florentine painter, the outstanding painter in Florence in the period after the death of Giotto (who was possibly his teacher). Daddi ran a busy workshop specializing in small devotional panels and portable altarpieces. His signed and dated works include a polyptych of The Crucifixion with Eight Saints (Courtauld Institute, London, 1348) and the works attributed to him include frescos of the Martyrdoms of SS. Lawrence and Stephen in Santa Croce. His style is a sweetened version of Giotto’s, tempering the latter’s gravity with Sienese grace and

Saint Reparata Being Prepared for Execution. Bernardo Daddi. Tempera on wood, gold ground. (Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Daddi ran a busy workshop specializing in small devotional panels and portable altarpieces. His signed and dated works include a polyptych of The Crucifixion with Eight Saints (Courtauld Institute, London, 1348) and the works attributed to him include frescos of the Martyrdoms of SS. Lawrence and Stephen in Santa Croce. His style is a sweetened version of Giotto’s, tempering the latter’s gravity with Sienese grace and lightness. He favoured smiling Madonnas, teasing children, and an abundance of flowers and trailing draperies. His lyrical manner was extremely popular and his influence endured into the second half of the century.

Madonna and Child Enthroned. Workshop of Bernardo Daddi. ca. 1335–39. Tempera on wood, transferred to canvas and laid down on wood, gold ground. (Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

His style was rather sweeter and less austere than Giotto’s, tempering the latter’s gravity with a new grace and refinement. The typically tender and expressive gestures, the subtle colour harmonies and above all the attention to detail are all characteristic of his work.