BERNARDO DADDI (C .1300-C. 1348)
The Marriage of the Virgin
c. 1339-42RCIN 406768
This small-scale panel was originally part of a large altarpiece painted for Florence Cathedral. It shows the story from The Golden Legend of St Joseph’s betrothal to Mary after the Holy Spirit lands as a dove on the rod in his hand. The unsuccessful suitors behind break their rods in disappointment. Daddi was celebrated for creating richly coloured visual stories. The gold haloes here are tooled with his trademark pattern of roses and leaves.