Head of an Angel in Full Face

Art Historical Context

Gaze upon the delicate *Head of an Angel in Face*, a captivating fragment by the Sienese master Taddeo di Bartolo created around 1397. Hailing from the vibrant late Gothic era in Siena, Italy—a hub of ornate religious art—Taddeo was renowned for his intricate frescoes and altarpieces adorning chapels across Tuscany. This small panel, measuring just 6¼ × 4¾ inches, likely originated from a larger polyptych or devotional work, where angels served as heavenly attendants framing sacred scenes like the Annunciation. Crafted in tempera on wood, the traditional medium of the time, the artwork showcases Taddeo's finesse in rendering ethereal beauty. Fine brushwork captures the angel's serene, wide-eyed expression and flowing golden hair, evoking spiritual purity. Notably, the paint around the head has been scraped away, leaving a gessoed void—possibly for a later-added halo or jewel, highlighting the panel's history of adaptation and reverence. Part of the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this intimate portrait invites visitors to ponder the divine gaze of medieval angels, bridging Siena's decorative legacy with our modern appreciation for fragmented treasures. A testament to Gothic tenderness amid religious fervor.

About the Artist

Taddeo di Bartolo · 1352–1432

Comment on works: religious