Artwork
Saint Julian
Saint Julian is a tempera painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Taddeo Gaddi. It dates from 1340 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
As a product of the mid-14th century, the artwork represents the stylistic conventions of its era within the religious art genre.
Saint Julian is a religious painting executed by Taddeo Gaddi in 1340. The work is created using tempera paint applied to a wooden panel support. Measuring 52.7 centimeters in height and 35.2 centimeters in width, the piece depicts a male saint holding a sword.
As a product of the mid-14th century, the artwork represents the stylistic conventions of its era within the religious art genre. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the Italian artist Taddeo Gaddi, the tempera panel painting known as Saint Julian was executed in 1340. The work, which depicts a male saint accompanied by a sword, measures 52.7 by 35.2 centimeters. While specific details regarding the original commissioner or the immediate ownership chain following its creation are not provided in the available records, the painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The work is classified as religious art and remains associated with this New York institution as its present location.
The panel painting Saint Julian, executed by Taddeo Gaddi circa 1340 in tempera on wood, is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection and is displayed in its European Paintings galleries. The work is catalogued as a religious artwork, measuring 52.7 cm in height and 35.2 cm in width. The sources consulted do not disclose an accession or inventory number for the piece, nor do they record any exhibition history beyond its inclusion in the museum's permanent holdings.
Overview
Taddeo Gaddi, a Florentine painter and architect, created Saint Julian around 1340. This tempera painting reflects the Italo-Byzantine style, a medieval artistic tradition known for its formal compositions and rich materials. The work is now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant example of 14th-century religious art from Italy.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork depicts Saint Julian as a bearded figure, adorned in a red robe with a golden halo signifying his sanctity. He holds a sword in his right hand, an established symbol in his iconography, and a small, unidentifiable object in his left. The saint's calm yet serious expression contributes to the painting's overall devotional character, emphasizing his revered status.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Taddeo Gaddi (c. 1290 – 1366) was a medieval Italian painter and architect. He was born in Florence. He was the son of the painter Gaddo di Zanobi, called Gaddo Gaddi. He was a member of Giotto's workshop from 1313…
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