Cassone Adimari 1450

This panel painting, by Lo Scheggia, probably made in Florence in the mid-fifteenth century, is a “cassone,” or marriage chest. The subject is the wedding procession of the Adimari family. But look closely and you see that what really makes the painting special is its materiality. The painting is made with tempera on wood, and then gilded to make it precious. The work depicts a splendid Florentine street, animated by the wealthy wedding party. Note the contrast between the dark, serious colors of the men's clothing and the bright, shimmering fabrics of the women's dresses. The clothing is an essential part of the story that this object tells. The artist is showing us the wealth of the family through the clothes they are wearing. The painting itself is therefore an advertisement for the richness and refinement of Florentine culture. By understanding the materials and the making of the chest we can understand the social context it represents.