Through 4 January 2015 see Fra Angelico…Rediscovered Masterpieces at the Domaine de Chantilly. The exhibition focuses on the reconstruction of a panel attributed to Fra Angelico, which was cut into pieces in the late 18th or early 19th century (allowing the dealer to sell multiple “paintings” instead of one.) This is the first, and possibly the last, time that the paintings have been together in almost two centuries. As the Musée Condé cannot lend its paintings, it is unlikely that the pieces will be brought together again anytime soon. That is, unless someone can find the sixth missing piece cut from the center. The panel shows scenes from hermit life surrounded by the four doctors of the church and was likely used for private meditation.
Other highlights include a reconstituted cassone (chest) painted by Sandro Botticelli and his student Filippino Lippi, fragments from a dossal by Maso di Banco, and the recently cleaned portrait of Simonetta Vespucci by Piero di Cosimo.
All photos Anne Leader courtesy of Musée Condé, Chantilly
Fra Angelico and workshop, Thebaid, ca. 1435, panel. Fragments (clockwise from upper left) from: Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp; Musée Condé, Chantilly; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Private Collection; Musée Thomas Henry, Cherbourg.
Zanobi Strozzi, Initial D with King David playing a Psaltery, 1452, parchment. Musée Condé, Chantilly
Maso di Banco, Dormition of the Virgin, detail, c. 1328-30, panel. Musée Condé, Chantilly
Giovanni dal Ponte, Coronation of the Virgin, bef. 1437, panel. Musée Condé, Chantilly
Fra Angelico, Saints Mark and Matthew, fragments of altarpiece from San Domenico in Fiesole, 1420s, panel. Musée Condé, Chantilly
Giovanni di Paolo, Five Angels Dancing at the Foot of a Throne, detail, ca. 1430-5, panel. Musée Condé, Chantilly
Piero di Cosimo, Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci, detail, ca. 1477-9, panel. Musée Condé, Chantilly
Filippino Lippi, Head of a Man Wearing a Cap in Three-Quarter View Looking Down Slightly, detail, 1470s, metal point with white gouache on prepared paper. Musée Condé, Chantilly