Filippo Lippi (The Library of Great Masters)

Fra Filippo Lippi was an eccentric artist, whose behaviour was disreputable and dishonoured the monk's habit that he had worn ever since he was little more than a child. Lippi quarrelled with clients and workshop assistants, was constantly in trouble for being late in delivering his paintings, and was threatened with excommunication several times. Filippo Lippi examines the life of this controversial figure, citing the opinions of his contemporaries and patrons, such as Cosimo de'Medici. The critical appraisal of Fra Filippo is discussed at length, followed by an examination of his works, including his great fresco cycles in Prato and Spoleto, and the influence on his work of Flemish Art.