The life and career of Lippo di Dalmasio, a Bolognese painter of the late fourteenth century

This book provides an historical and critical framework for the paintings of Lippo di Dalmasio, whose vividly emotive images, particularly of the Madonna of Humility, were highly valued during the Counter-Reformation. The catalogue presents 37 items in total, including many new attributions and some previously unpublished works. This is accompanied by all known documents on the artist. Lippo di Dalmasio was among the most important artists working both in Pistoia and Bologna during the later fourteenth century, and his work is familiar to most through the reproduction of the London Madonna on Christmas cards and stamps. This study is timed to coincide with the sixth centenary of his death in 1410. Lippo's work is set in the context of Bolognese painting before him, especially by his father Dalmasio Scannabecchi, and his uncle, the prolific Simone 'dei Crocefissi'. The attribution of his finest fresco in Pistoia is established within the context of Bolognese iconography of the tent as tabernacle and related to the numerous signed works produced in Bologna. These are datable in part by the changing orthography of the signatures themselves as well as a distinctive response both to local tradition and developments in Florentine painting. The volume includes a catalogue of his paintings and the many documents of his career.