Lot 3

Edmond Noël, Paris
His sale, Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, 27 May 1924, lot 3
Kay sale, London, Christie's, 23 May 1930, lot 90, where bought by Willis;
Private collection
Sotheby's, London, Old Master Paintings, 4 July 2007, lot 46
where purchased by Robert Compton Jones (accompanied by a copy of the original purchase receipt and auction catalogue)

Bicci di Lorenzo was in many respects the most talented artist from a successful dynasty of painters working in Florence from the second half of the fourteenth century to the late fifteenth century. He took over a thriving workshop from his father, Lorenzo di Bicci (c. 1350-1427), which he in turn passed on to his son, Neri di Bicci (1418-1492). Bicci di Lorenzo was trained in his father's studio, but as his style developed he absorbed the influence of other contemporary artists such as Agnolo Gaddi, Spinello Aretino, and perhaps most importantly, Gentile da Fabriano. The present portable triptych, is typical of Bicci's early work, and one of a number of small devotional works that were a feature of the family workshop.

Tim Hunter