Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints 1327 - 1348

Bernardo Daddi created this small panel painting of the Madonna and Child with Saints in Florence, Italy, sometime in the 14th century. It’s a testament to the social function of religious imagery at the time. Daddi’s panel offers a clear visual theology, presenting the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven, enthroned and surrounded by saints. The painting would have likely been commissioned for private devotion, to be placed in a home. The iconic composition emphasizes the hierarchical order of the divine, with Mary at its center. The surrounding saints, identifiable by their attributes, create a sense of communal worship. It reflects a society deeply shaped by religious belief and the power of the Church. Understanding this painting means looking into the religious practices of 14th century Florence, the patronage system that supported artists like Daddi, and the theological debates that shaped the iconography of the time. Art history is about uncovering these layers of meaning.