Francesco Pesellino, Virgin and Child, about 1455. Lyon, Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Following the recent conservation of two panels by Francesco Pesellino (1422-1457), the National Gallery in London is exhibiting them at the heart of a jewel-like and sparkling exhibition. Not the most famous of Renaissance artists perhaps, Pesellino was, nevertheless, a master craftsman. Not only was he highly skilled, but also very successful, as the rich selection of works on display demonstrates. Trained by his grandfather, he may have gone to work under the sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti, and then joined the workshop of Fra Filippo Lippi: these two masters could easily account for Pesellino’s wide range of skills and interests.
The exhibition brings together a number of works to give a good idea of the extent of this neglected artist’s production, combining paintings from the National’s own collection with loans from the UK, France and America. These pieces range from small-scale devotional panels to full-size altarpieces, and from drawings to the surviving elements of pieces of furniture. Each painting shows the same consideration for composition and delicacy of detail, and all are a delight to the eye.
This talk by Dr Richard Stemp will introduce both the artist and the National Gallery’s exhibition, and, as it is a relatively small display, it should be possible to discuss all of the exhibits in some detail.
Pesellino: A Renaissance Master Revealed is at the National Gallery until 10 March 2024.
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This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.