Taddeo Gaddi

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Gaddi, Taddeo (d Florence, 1366). Florentine painter, the son of a painter and mosaicist, Gaddo Gaddi (d c.1330). According to Cennino Cennini, Taddeo was Giotto's godson and worked with him for 24 years. He was one of the leading Florentine artists of his day, as is indicated by the fact that in about 1347 he headed a list of ‘the best masters of painting who are in Florence’ drawn up by the authorities of the church of S. Giovanni Fuorcivitas in Pistoia; the altarpiece he painted for the church (a polyptych of the Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints, completed 1353) is still in situ. Taddeo's best-known works were painted for S. Croce, Florence, notably the frescos devoted to the life of the Virgin in the Baroncelli Chapel (c.1330), and the panels illustrating the life of Christ (c.1330), originally meant for the doors of a sacristy cupboard and now divided among museums in Florence (Accademia), Munich (Alte Pin.), and Berlin (Gemäldegalerie). Many other panels are attributed to him and he must have had a flourishing workshop. Although he was heir to the tradition of Giotto, his style is less heroic and more anecdotal.

Taddeo had three painter sons, of whom the most important was Agnolo (bur. Florence, 16 Oct. 1396), who continued the Giotto manner but modified it still further in the direction of decorative elegance. He is particularly notable for his cool, pale colours, which influenced the refined late Gothic art of artists of the next generation such as Lorenzo Monaco. Agnolo's works include frescos on the story of the Cross in the chancel of S. Croce (c.1390) and on the story of the Virgin and her girdle in the chapel of the Holy Girdle in Prato Cathedral (1392–5). Many panel paintings also are attributed to him.

Gaddi, Taddeo (d. 1366). Florentine painter, the son of a painter and mosaicist Gaddo Gaddi (d. c.1330). According to Cennino Cennini, Taddeo was Giotto's godson and worked with him for 24 years. He was one of the leading Florentine artists of his day and in 1347 he headed a list of the best living painters compiled for the purpose of choosing a master to paint a new high altarpiece for Pistoia Cathedral. His best-known works were painted for S. Croce, Florence, notably the frescos devoted to the Life of the Virgin in the Baroncelli Chapel (c.1330), and the panels illustrating the Life of Christ (c.1330), originally meant for the doors of a sacristy cupboard and now scattered among museums in Florence (Accademia), Munich (Alte Pin.), and Berlin (Gemäldegalerie). Many other panels are attributed to him and he must have had a flourishing workshop. Although transmitting the tradition of Giotto, his style is less heroic and more anecdotal. Gaddi's son Agnolo (d. 1396) continued the Giotto tradition but modified it still further in the direction of decorative elegance. He is particularly notable for his cool, pale colours, which influenced the refined late Gothic art of artists of the next generation such as Lorenzo Monaco. Agnolo's works include frescos on the story of the Cross in the chancel of S. Croce (c.1390) and on the story of the Virgin and her Girdle in the Chapel of the Holy Girdle in Prato Cathedral (1392–5). Many panel paintings also are attributed to him.

Gaddi, Taddeo (c.1297– after c.1366). Consultant architect to the Cathedral in Florence (where he probably completed Giotto's campanile from 1337), he also appears to have been responsible for the rebuilding of the Ponte Vecchio (1333–45). He may also have worked at the Palazzo Vecchio (c.1333). Agnolo Gaddi (fl. second half of C14), presumably Taddeo's son, may have designed several Florentine buildings, but the evidence is confused.

Bibliography

W. Papworth (1852);
Sturgis et al. (1901–2);
Vasari (1568)

Gaddi, Taddeo (c.1300–c.1366) Leading member in a family of Florentine artists. Taddeo's father, Gaddo di Zanobi (c.1259–c.1330), was a noted painter and mosaicist. Taddeo served as an apprentice to Giotto. His best-known work is the fresco series Life of the Virgin (completed in 1338). Taddeo's son, Agnolo (d.1396), also painted frescos; the most famous is the Legend of the True Cross (c.1380).