The Nativity of the Virgin by Andrea di Bartolo
The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple by Andrea di Bartolo
Joachim and Anna Giving Food to the Poor and Offerings to the Temple by Andrea di Bartolo
Christ on the Cross [reverse] by Andrea di Bartolo
Madonna of Humility, The Blessing Christ, Two Angels, and a Donor [obverse] by Andrea di Bartolo

Andrea di Bartolo

Andrea di Bonaiuto, also known as Andrea da Firenze, served on the design committee for the Florence Cathedral during its construction. Despite his status, his major contribution to the Spanish Chapel at Santa Maria Novella was attributed to other artists for hundreds of years. Giorgio Vasari incorrectly credited the work to Taddeo Gaddi and Simone Martini. Researchers only confirmed Andrea as the artist in 1916 after discovering relevant documents.

Biography

His style combines the weight of Florentine painting with the decorative elements found in Sienese art. He typically used tempera and gold leaf on wood panels, creating figures with a static and monumental presence. His panels of Saint Agnes and Saint Bartholomew demonstrate this formal approach. These works avoid the fluid movement of the late Gothic style in favour of a more structured appearance.

Collectors today value these works for their historical accuracy and the use of gold leaf. The clear compositions and balanced forms of the Trecento period suit contemporary interior spaces. These prints provide a direct link to the religious and social history of fourteenth-century Florence.

Notable Works

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Andrea di Bartolo known for?
    Andrea di Bartolo is known for andrea di Bonaiuto was a fourteenth-century Florentine master known for his monumental frescoes in the Spanish Chapel and his formal tempera panels featuring gold leaf.
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