Description
The painting St Lawrence Enthroned with Saints and Donors by artist Friar Filippo Lippi is an Italian Renaissance masterpiece noted for its artistic style, composition, color, and rich history. The original size of the work is 121 x 116 cm, which allows a detailed appreciation of each of the elements that make up the work.
Lippi's artistic style is characterized by his ability to create realistic and detailed figures that appear to be alive. In this work, we can see the figure of San Lorenzo seated on a throne surrounded by saints and donors, all of them represented with great precision and realism. The composition of the work is very balanced and harmonious, with each figure placed in its perfect place to create a sense of harmony and balance.
The color used by Lippi is very vibrant and saturated, giving the work a sense of vitality and energy. Gold and red tones predominate in the work, giving it a majestic and regal air.
The history of the painting is also very interesting. It was commissioned by Cardinal Jacopo di Portugallo in the 15th century and is believed to have been created in Lippi's workshop in Florence. The work was stolen in 1944 during World War II and recovered in 1946. It has since been restored and is in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC
One of the little-known aspects of the work is that Lippi included his own image in the work, depicting himself as one of the saints surrounding San Lorenzo. This detail shows the confidence and pride the artist had in his own skill and talent.
In summary, the painting St Lawrence Enthroned with Saints and Donors by Friar Filippo Lippi is an Italian Renaissance masterpiece noted for its artistic style, composition, color, and rich history. Every detail of the work is a display of the artist's talent and skill, making it an impressive and fascinating work of art.