Fresco cycle in the Prato Cathedral (1452-66)
by Fra Filippo LIPPI

The frescoes in the choir of the Cathedral in Prato represent a long drawn-out but major effort by the master, and they seem to have been produced slowly and sporadically between 1452 and 1466. The enormous scale of the choir and consequently the painted subjects, a far cry from the intimate frescoes of the Brancacci Chapel, must be taken into account for an effective evaluation. The cycle has been restored recently, revealing powerful yet sensitive images produced with verve and facility during a late period in Lippi's development.

The Prato frescoes were both an artistic and a physical challenge for the aging painter, and, particularly in the large scenes on either side of the choir with stories of St John the Baptist and St Stephen, an ample share of the execution may be attributed to workshop assistants.

Preview Picture Data Info
View of the fresco cycle
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


View of the fresco cycle
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


View of the left (north) wall of the main chapel
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


View of the right (south) wall of the main chapel
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St Luke the Evangelist
c. 1454
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St John the Evangelist
c. 1454
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St Stephen is Born and Replaced by Another Child
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St Stephen is Born and Replaced by Another Child (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St Stephen is Born and Replaced by Another Child (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St Stephen is Born and Replaced by Another Child (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Disputation in the Synagogue
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Disputation in the Synagogue (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Disputation in the Synagogue (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Disputation in the Synagogue (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Disputation in the Synagogue (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


The Funeral of St Stephen
1460
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


The Funeral of St Stephen (detail)
1460
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


The Funeral of St Stephen (detail)
1460
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


The Funeral of St Stephen (detail)
1460
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


The Funeral of St Stephen (detail)
1460
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


The Funeral of St Stephen (detail)
1460
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


The Martyrdom of St Stephen
1460
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St Alberto of Trapani
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St Alberto of Trapani
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Birth and Naming St John
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Birth and Naming St John (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St John Taking Leave of His Parents
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St John Taking Leave of his Parents (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St John Taking Leave of His Parents (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


St John Taking Leave of His Parents (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Herod's Banquet
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Herod's Banquet (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Herod's Banquet (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Herod's Banquet (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Herod's Banquet (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Herod's Banquet (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Herod's Banquet (detail)
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


The Beheading of John the Baptist
1452-65
Fresco
Duomo, Prato


Choir chapel window
1452-65
Stained glass
Duomo, Prato



Summary of works by Fra Filippo Lippi
Paintings
in the 1430s | in the 1440s | in the 1450s | in the 1460s
Fresco cycles
Prato Cathedral | Spoleto Cathedral



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