The Trinity

Agnolo Gaddi, son and pupil of the celebrated Taddeo Gaddi and thus a direct artistic heir to Giotto's workshop tradition, painted this Trinity near the end of the fourteenth century. The subject of the Trinity — typically showing God the Father supporting the crucified Christ with the Holy Spirit as a dove — was a doctrinally important image that affirmed orthodox Trinitarian theology. As one of the last major painters of the Giottesque lineage in Florence, Agnolo's late works show the increasing decorative refinement that would characterize the International Gothic style.

Executed in egg tempera on panel with gold ground, the composition follows the established Throne of Grace iconography. Agnolo's technique shows careful modeling of drapery with soft tonal transitions, combined with the ornamental punchwork and gilding typical of late Trecento Florentine panels.