St. Julian

Agnolo Gaddi painted this image of Saint Julian around 1393, likely as a component of the same Julian cycle that included narrative scenes of the saint's legend in the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Julian the Hospitaller was venerated as a patron of travelers, hospitality, and ferrymen, and his cult was promoted by hospitals and hospices throughout medieval Tuscany. Gaddi's treatment of the standing saint follows the established Gothic convention for polyptych wing panels.

Executed in egg tempera on gold-ground panel, the single saint figure demonstrates Agnolo Gaddi's refined handling of form with elegant drapery folds and a carefully modeled face. The tooled gold halo and decorative border reflect the high production standards of Gaddi's prolific Florentine workshop.