Study After a Fresco by Andrea di Firenze

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Drawing details

Title: Study After a Fresco by Andrea di Firenze
Date: 1853
Media: Pencil on white paper
Dimensions: 29.2 x 23.0 cm
Location: Leighton House Museum
Picture credit: Leighton House Museum, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Reference number: LHO/D/0932
Inscriptions: Inscribed upper left "Taddeo Gaddi. / white and gold caps / all three brown [illegible]" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Inscribed upper centre "Simone Memmi / Capella dei Spagnoli (Sta Maria novella Florence.)" in pencil, in the artist's hand. Insc

Interpretation

This study is copied from the fresco of 'The Church Militant and Triumphant' (1365-68) by Andrea da Firenze (Italian painter, c.1343-1377) in the Spanish Chapel ('Cappellone degli Spagnoli' in Italian) at Santa Maria Novella in Florence. From his inscriptions it is clear that Leighton thought this part of the fresco depicted the Italian artists Taddeo Gaddi, Simone Memmi, Giotto, and Cimabue from left to right. The costume of the figure of Cimabue influenced Leighton's depiction of the artist in his painting 'Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna...' (c.1853-55, Royal Collection) and later 'Cimabue' (1863-64, Victoria and Albert Museum). However, this figure in the fresco is now thought to represent an English knight.

Description

Full-length study of the group of four figures to the lower centre of the fresco 'The Church Militant and Triumphant' (1365-68) by Andrea di Firenze (Italian painter, c.1343-1377). 

Provenance

Bequeathed by the artist to his sisters, Mrs. Augusta Matthews (n+e Augusta Neunburg Leighton, 1835-1919) and Mrs. Alexandra Orr (n+e Alexandra Leighton, 1828-1903); purchased by the Fine Art Society in 1896 (Fine Art Society reference number Q71); collection of Mrs. Emilie Isabel Barrington (author and painter, 1844-1933); presented to Leighton House Museum by Barrington in c.1897 

Bibliography

• Barrington, Mrs. Emilie Isabel, 'Catalogue: Lord Leighton's House and What it Contains', 1900, reprinted as part of 'A Collection of Essays on Lord Leighton and his Works with Illustrated Catalogue of the Contents of Leighton House', privately published, London, 1900-01, p.192 catalogue number 292
• Barrington, Mrs. Russell, 'The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic, Lord Leighton', George Allen, London, 1906, volume I, illustrated opposite p.138
• Millar, Sir Oliver, 'The Victorian Pictures in the  

Exhibition history

• 09 April 1900 to at least 1936, 'The Leighton House Collection' (intended to be a permanent display), Leighton House Museum, London, catalogue number 292 (exhibited in the Glass Studio, Winter Studio)