Four Paintings

Light and shade, accents of colour, spatial depth, expressive features, use of gestures and contrasting elements are some of the means whereby Bernardo Daddi brings realism to the painting of his narrative scenes. Despite the flattening effect of the golden skies in the Adoration of the Magi, he manages to create significant spatial depth, within which the three-dimensional characters interact. The oblique angle of the stable, the diagonal lines of the rocky landscape converging towards a central midpoint, and the darkness of the hill in the background all contribute to the perception of depth within the painting.

Daddi draw's the viewer's eyes to particular points of interest upon which to focus and reflect. Thus, the young magus on the left-hand side, resplendent in his crown and bright red cloak, gestures towards the stable scene where the eldest magus is seen kneeling in reverence before the Christ Child. The balding head of this magus draws attention to the lack of his crown which he has removed and placed on the ground, symbolising the honour and respect being paid to the infant. The realism of the scene is enhanced by the expression of joy and tenderness shown by the Virgin Mary as she looks at her Son.