Gaddo Gaddi (attr.), Coronation of Mary
- Author
- Gaddo Gaddi
- Date
- C. 1296-1310
- Collocation
- Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
- Specific location
- Counter-façade, lunette above the main portal
- Original location
- Facade of the ancient Basilica di Santa Reparata?
- Material
- Polychrome tesserae of glass paste, silver, gold, pigments
- Technique
- Mosaic
- Scientific catalog (only in italian)
- Decorazione musiva lunetta con Incoronazione della Vergine controfacciata
Large mosaic lunette depicting the Coronation of Mary, , from about 1296-1310, historically attributed to Gaddo Gaddi.
In the centre, on two thrones, regally dressed are Mary and Christ. The Mother bends down with her arms folded and is crowned by her Son who blesses her. Around the two thrones are the winged figures symbols of the four Gospels: the bull of Saint Luke, the lion of Saint Mark, the man of Saint Matthew and the eagle of Saint John. On the sides there are two rows of tubular angels, while in the upper one there are juxtaposed two specular Seraphim, one red and the other blue.
The Coronation of Mary is an episode of the life of the Virgin derived from the Christian tradition of faith and theology and follows the moment of her Assumption into heaven. This mosaic, placed to decorate the lunette of the counter-façade, fits into and completes the cycle of stories of the Madonna sculpted by Arnolfo in the external lunettes of the ancient façade.