(Florence 1444/45–1497)
The adoration of the Child with the Madonna, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, Augustinian and Benedictine monks and three angels before a wide river landscape,
inscribed and dated: A. D. M. CCCCXII F. Filippi lippi. opus,
oil and tempera on panel, 52.6 x 37.3 cm, framed

Provenance:
formerly private collection, Milan.

Literature:
W. Angelelli/A. G. de Marchi, La Pittura dal Duecento al primo Chinquecento nelle fotografie di Giorlamo Bombelli, Milan 1991, no. 288 (as Gherardo di Giovanni del Fora);
A. G. de Marchi, Falsi primitivi, Prospettive critiche e metodi di esecuzioni, Turin 2001, p. 106 (with wrong ill. no.), ill. 34 (as Gherardo di Giovanni del Fora).

The identification of the artist, established in two publications by Andrea de Marchi, has been confirmed by Everett Fahy from the previous owner (verbal communication). This painting was previously believed to have been the work of Filippo Lippi. The painter lived for many years as a laybrother at the monastery of San Marco. He had literary and musical interests. Amongst the characteristics of Fora’s illuminated books, was the introduction of elements drawn from both ancient and contemporary Netherlandish art, e.g. ‘all’antica’ decorated borders mit grotesques and mythological figures. Andrea de Marchi assumes that the Lippi signature and the date were added in the early 20th century.