Artwork

Holy bishop wit a goldfinch

Holy bishop wit a goldfinch, by Bernardo Daddi, oil
Holy bishop wit a goldfinch, by Bernardo Daddi, oil

Holy bishop wit a goldfinch is an oil painting by Bernardo Daddi. It is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Holy Bishop with a Goldfinch is an oil painting created by Bernardo Daddi around 1350, exemplifying early Italian Renaissance art. It belongs to the religious genre, characteristic of Daddi's expertise in small-scale devotional pieces.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a saintly bishop in green robes and a gold and white mitre, holding a staff and a goldfinch. The goldfinch and attire imply Christian symbolism, potentially representing spiritual guidance or divine presence, while gold accents convey luxury and reverence.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the work reflects Daddi's contribution to the Renaissance's shift toward realism, moving away from Gothic conventions with its lifelike composition. The intricate gold halo behind the bishop showcases Daddi's attention to detail.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1350, the painting is now part of the Alte Pinakothek's collection, highlighting its enduring presence in European art repositories.

Context

Produced during a transitional period in Florence, the painting embodies the early Renaissance's emphasis on realism and devotional art, positioning Daddi as a leading figure in this shift.

Legacy

As one of Daddi's notable works, Holy Bishop with a Goldfinch contributes to the understanding of 14th-century Florence's artistic evolution and the development of Renaissance styles in religious art.

A Bishop Saint
A Bishop Saint, Fra Angelico

Artist & collection

Artist

Bernardo Daddi

Bernardo Daddi (c. 1280 – 1348) was an early Italian Renaissance painter and the leading painter of Florence of his generation. He was one of the artists who contributed to the revolutionary art of the Renaissance,…

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Holy bishop wit a goldfinch?

Holy bishop wit a goldfinch was painted by Bernardo Daddi.

Where can I see Holy bishop wit a goldfinch?

Holy bishop wit a goldfinch is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.