A Franciscan Saint

Bicci di Lorenzo was trained in Florence in the workshop of his father, Lorenzo di Bicci (c. 1350-1427). His early work clearly shows the influence of the late Gothic style of his father, whose workshop he continued. That Bicci di Lorenzo was not affected by the artistic developments in Florence during the first decades of the fifteenth century is apparent in the triptych of the Annunciation with Saints at Porciana, dated 1414. In the third decade of the fifteenth century his style softened and became less linear; his compositions also became more ornate with the influence of Gentile da Fabriano, a change visible in the dismantled polyptych painted for the convent of San Niccolò di Cafaggio, Florence.

The style of the present panel is comparable with an early work by Bicci di Lorenzo. The panel is cut along the lower edge and was probably part of a polyptych.

We are grateful to Everett Fahy for proposing the attribution from a photograph.