Der hl. Nikolaus beschenkt drei arme Mädchen,

um 1393/96

Material / Technology / Carrier

Pappelholz

Dimensions of the object

24,9 x 28,7 cm

Displayed

Not on display

Department

Italienische Malerei

Genre

Malerei

Inventory number

7818 A

Acquisition

1891 als Ankauf aus Florentiner Privatbesitz

Stock

Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München

Citation

Agnolo Gaddi, Der hl. Nikolaus beschenkt drei arme Mädchen, um 1393/96, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München, URL: https://www.sammlung.pinakothek.de/en/artwork/02LAYaXLyk (Last updated on 19.06.2023)

These panels (see inv. no. 7818, 7818b, 7819, 7819a and 7819b) probably come from a two-winged altarpiece that is considered one of the most outstanding accomplishments in the field of Florentine painting due to its exceptional dimensions alone. It is not known where it was originally displayed. While the golden ground holds the figures on a flat plane, the soft modelling of the robes already suggests a greater three-dimensional quality and spatial depth. The high quality of the painting can also be seen in the details of the motifs such as the ornamentation on the hem of the dalmatic worn by St Nicholas and the Venus pudica figure on St Julian’s waistband. The benefactor, portrayed kneeling and turned to the right, would originally have been looking towards the central panel that no longer exists and that very probably depicted the Virgin and Child. Agnolo was Taddeo Gaddi’s son and the last representative of this important Florentine dynasty of painters.