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Pesellino: A Renaissance Master Revealed

Until 10 March 2024

Room 46

Discover an overlooked Renaissance great in the first-ever exhibition dedicated to Francesco Pesellino (c.1422–1457).

With commissions from Florence’s ruling Medici family and working collaboratively with leading artists of the Italian Renaissance, Pesellino’s talents were hugely sought-after during his lifetime.

However, an early death at just 35, and the difficulty in attributing works has meant that his legacy has been largely overlooked. This exhibition seeks to remedy that by shining a light on the depth and breadth of Pesellino’s achievements.

Working in Florence in the mid-15th century, Pesellino had a short but successful career, joining forces with artists including Fra Filippo Lippi. In particular, he was a skilled draughtsman, visual storyteller and a painter of animals, often producing works on a small scale with wonderfully intricate detail.

Uniting his two undisputed masterpieces from the National Gallery Collection – the Pistoia Trinity altarpiece (1455–60), and the newly restored ‘Stories of David’ cassone panels (about 1445–55) – with exciting loans, this exhibition presents an opportunity to uncover more of Pesellino's story, and appreciate his skill as a painter of complicated stories, ceremonial splendour and exquisite detail.

Detail from Francesco Pesellino, 'The Triumph of David', about 1445–55 © The National Gallery, London

Ticket prices

Free

Please book a free Gallery entry ticket to gain admission to the National Gallery. We encourage you to book ahead of your visit.

The H J Hyams Exhibition Programme

Supported by The Capricorn Foundation

 

Exhibition supported by

 

The Vaseppi Trust
Mr and Mrs Giuseppe Ciucci

Count and Countess Emilio Voli

Rothschild Foudation

 

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