LIPPI, FRA FILIPPO

born c. 1406, , Florence died Oct. 8/10, 1469, Spoleto, Papal States Florentine painter in the second generation of Renaissance artists. While exhibiting the strong influence of Masaccio (e.g., in Madonna and Child, 1437) and Fra Angelico (e.g., in Coronation of the Virgin, c. 1445), his work achieves a distinctive clarity of expression. Legend and tradition surround his unconventional life. Additional reading Mary Pittaluga, Fra Filippo Lippi, in the World Encyclopedia of Art, vol. 9, col. 257261 (1964), a biographical and critical synopsis with modern bibliography; and Filippo Lippi (1949), includes a critical evaluation (in Italian) of the artist and precise attributions; Edward C. Strutt, Fra Filippo Lippi (1901), the first systematic biography with comments on the principal works; Bernard Berenson, The Study and Criticism of Italian Art, 2nd Series (1902), and Italian Pictures of the Renaissance (1932), contain important critical evaluations of the artist; I.B. Supino, Fra Filippo Lippi (1902), in Italian; Henriette Mendelsohn, Fra Filippo Lippi (1909), in German; Giuseppe Fiocco, La pittura toscana del Quattrocento (1945); Robert Oertel, Fra Filippo Lippi (1942), a critical study (in German) with attributions; Mario Salmi (ed.), Filippo Lippi: Gli affreschi nel duomo di Prato (1944), with illustrations of particular frescoes and comments and notes. Major Works: The Reform of the Carmelite Rule (fresco, 1432; Sta. Maria del Carmine, Florence); Madonna of Humility (c. 1432; Castello Sforzesco, Milan); Madonna and Child (1437; Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome); The Virgin and Child Between SS. Frediano and Augustin (1437; Louvre, Paris); Madonna and Child Enthroned (c. 1437; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City); Annunciation (c. 143740; S. Lorenzo, Florence); The Coronation of the Virgin (144147; Uffizi, Florence); The Madonna Enthroned with Saints (144142; Uffizi); Virgin and Child (144142; Museo Mediceo, Florence); The Annunciation (144143; Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica); Annunciation (c. 144247; Alte Pinakothek, Munich); St. Lawrence Enthroned with SS. Cosmo and Damian and Alessandro Alessandri and Two of His Sons; St. Benedict; St. Anthony Abbott (Alessandri Altarpiece; c. 144247; Metropolitan Museum of Art); Adoration of the Magi (c. 144547; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.); Coronation of the Virgin (c. 1445; Vatican Museum, Rome); St. Bernard's Vision of the Virgin (1447; National Gallery, London); choir frescoes (145264; cathedral, Prato, Italy); Madonna with Child and Scenes from the Life of Mary (1452; Pitti Palace, Florence); The Virgin Enthroned and Two Saints (1453; Museo Comunale, Prato); The Adoration of the Child with St. Hilary (c. 1455; Uffizi); Seven Saints (145860; National Gallery, London); The Virgin Adoring the Child (c. 1460; Staatliche Museen Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin); The Adoration of the Child with St. Bernard (c. 1463; Uffizi); The Madonna and Child with Two Angels (c. 1465; Uffizi); choir and apse frescoes (commissioned 1466, begun 146769; cathedral, Spoleto, Italy).