Three Acts of Charity
follower of Fra Filippo Lippi (Florence c.1406 – Spoleto 1469)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1430 - 1499
Materials
Oil on panel (poplar)
Measurements
248 x 629 mm (9 3/4 x 24 3/4 in)
Order this imageCollection
Upton House, Warwickshire
NT 446820
Caption
Three successive scenes are here viewed through the arches of a cloister. On the left, the righteous man hands a drink to Christ, as the unknown stranger; in the centre, he hands Him food; and on the right, he offers Him rest. The subject is taken from Christ’s description of the Last Judgement in Matthew (chapter 25, verses 34-40). The panel was originally part of a predella, forming the base of an altarpiece. It has been suggested that it might have been painted by a Sienese artist under Florentine influence, such as Domenico di Bartolo.
Summary
Oil painting on panel (poplar), Three Acts of Charity, follower of Fra Filippo Lippi (Florence c.1406 – Spoleto 1469), mid to late 15th century. Three successive scenes viewed through the arches of a cloister; left, the righteous man hands drink to Christ as the unknown stranger; centre, he hands Him food; and right he offers Him rest. In the first and second episodes attendent figures carry wine and bread. The subject is taken from Our Lord's description of the Last Judgement.
Provenance
Previous history unrecorded, but acquired by Lord Bearsted in 1924 from Arthur Ruck; given with Upton House to the National Trust by Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted (1882 – 1948), in 1948, shortly before his death
Marks and inscriptions
Verso: in ink on circular label on back of panel: n.5
Makers and roles
follower of Fra Filippo Lippi (Florence c.1406 – Spoleto 1469) , artist previously catalogued as attributed to Fra Filippo Lippi (Florence c.1406 – Spoleto 1469) , artist previously catalogued as school of Masaccio (Castel San Giovanni 1401 – Rome 1428), artist
