Abstract
Agnolo Gaddi (active 1369-98) was one of the Giotteschi painters in Trecento Florence
whose masterpiece, the Legend of the True Cross fresco cycle, adorns the Franciscan
Basilica di Santa Croce’s Cappella Maggiore in Florence. In this article, I analyze the
recently restored frescoes to revisit the Trecento expression of light and color. The
works of Agnolo, although he has not much discussed, are characterized by a gentle
and pale expression of color—through the cangiante mode of painting—that gives a
sense of unity and harmony to the entire cycle. In particular, I examine the effect of
cangiante and the use of gold and tin metal foil on the murals. Taking into account the
light source, i.e., daylight from the chapel windows, I discuss the fresco cycle’s overall
color and decorative characteristics. As it is written in Bonaventure’s doctrine of light,
it would be possible to conclude that the expression of beautiful light is to praise God.
Agnolo’s frescos depict a world of God filled with light. In that sense, it can be said that
these frescos are a supreme decoration befitting a house of God.
