Virgin and Child c. 1340s

Editor: This is "Virgin and Child," attributed to Taddeo Gaddi. Looking at this painting, I am struck by the apparent fragility, almost like a fresco recovered from a ruined church. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The damage and restoration certainly play into its current reading. Think about the role these images had in the daily lives of people. They were meant to inspire devotion, part of a visual culture. Consider the cost of commissioning such a piece. Who would have had access to it and what did it signify? Editor: So, you're saying its creation and its placement were political statements? Curator: Precisely. The politics of display are everything. The faded paint and cracks tell a story too, not just of artistry but of history and the ebb and flow of power. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider about its original context. Thanks!