Rossello Jacopo Di Franchi

Rossello di Jacopo Franchi (Florence circa1377-1456) The Madonna and Child with Saints Paul, Johnthe Baptist, Bartholomew Apostle and Catherine tempera on gold ground panel, shaped top 137.2 x 58.1cm (54 x 22 7/8in). with integral frame EXHIBITED: Formerly on loan to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (no. 21,Donohue, as 'unknown') We are grateful to Professor Mikl�s Boskovits for pointing out thatthe present composition is typical of Rossello di Jacopo Franchiand that he believes from a photograph that it is very probably byhim. Rossello di Jacopo Franchi is thought to have been a pupil ofMariotto di Nardo (1394-1424), matriculating in the Guild of SaintLuke in 1424. In 1433 he painted twelve figures of apostles forFlorence Cathedral with Bicci di Lorenzo (1373-1452) and Lippo diCorso (1357-1404). The artist's dated works include Saint BlaiseEnthroned (1408, Florence Cathedral); the Coronation of theVirgin (1420, Florence Accademia) and the signed and dated Coronation of the Virgin (1439, Siena, PinacotecaNazionale). His style is close to that of Bicci di Lorenzo(1373�1452) and Lorenzo Monaco (circa 1370-circa 1425).

catalogue note we are grateful to everett fahy who, on the basis of first hand inspection, has identified the present painting to be by rossello di jacopo franchi. franchi was both a painter and illuminator who probably studied under mariotto di nardo and is recorded in the guild of saint luke in 1424. in 1433 he collaborated with bicci di lorenzo and lippo di corso for decorations in the tribuna di santa maria del fiore, florence. he is also documented as working with ventura di moro on scenes from the life of saint peter martyr. towards the end of his life, franchi's health declined; he suffered from a loss of vision and trembling hands. the figure of the madonna in this painting can be compared with a madonna and child sold at sotheby's, london, on july 9, 1989, lot 226. oil and tempera on panel, with a shaped top description