DISCOVERART

Fra Filippo Lippi

The Funeral of Saint Stephen

c. 1460
pen and brown ink with brush and brown wash with traces of stylus over traces of black chalk

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

Since frescoes in 15th-century Italy often presented complex narratives, details of storytelling had to be carefully worked out before beginning to paint on wet plaster. Here Fra (Father) Filippo Lippi made a preliminary plan for a composition depicting the funeral of Saint Stephen, part of his fresco cycle on the lives of Saints Stephen and John the Baptist in the cathedral of Prato. His use of the free-flowing but permanent medium of ink allows us to see today the areas where he changed his mind—such as the placement of Stephen’s head and the figure at the altar.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Fra Filippo Lippi

Virgin and Child with AngelsVirgin and Child with AngelsPair of Panels from a Triptych: The Archangel Michael and St. Anthony AbbotPair of Panels from a Triptych: The Archangel Michael and StPanel from a Triptych: St. Anthony AbbotPanel from a Triptych: St. Anthony AbbotPanel from a Triptych: The Archangel MichaelPanel from a Triptych: The Archangel MichaelPortrait of a Woman with a Man at a CasementPortrait of a Woman with a Man at a CasementSaint Lawrence Enthroned with Saints and DonorsSaint Lawrence Enthroned with Saints and DonorsSaints Augustine and Francis, a Bishop Saint, and Saint BenedictSaints Augustine and Francis, a Bishop Saint, and Saint BeneMadonna and Child Enthroned with Two AngelsMadonna and Child Enthroned with Two Angels

More like this

Literary Illustration with Group of Figures Pleading with ManHubert François Gravelot — Literary Illustration with Group Presentation of the Body of Saint Antoninus of FlorenceGiovanni Battista Paggi — Presentation of the Body of Saint Literary Illustration: Man with Sword Confronting Group of Figures Before BuildingHubert François Gravelot — Literary Illustration: Man with SSaints Peter and Paul Disputing with Simon Magus before Nero (recto); Five Scenes from the Story of Moses (verso)Andrea Boscoli — Saints Peter and Paul Disputing with Simon The Adoration of the MagiFra Bartolomeo (Bartolomeo di Paolo del Fattorino) — The AdoThe Incredulity of Saint Thomas (recto); Sketches of Figures (verso)Style of Nicolas Poussin — The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (Raymond Diocrès Speaking During His Funeral (from the Life of Saint Bruno of Cologne)Daniele Crespi — Raymond Diocrès Speaking During His FuneralStudy for Pope Innocent III Establishing the Franciscan OrderFrancesco Allegrini — Study for Pope Innocent III EstablishiSophronia Enters the Palace of AladinAndrea Boscoli — Sophronia Enters the Palace of AladinSaint Paul Baptizing Dionysus the Areopagite (recto); Sketches of Baby, Hands (verso)Antonio Carracci — Saint Paul Baptizing Dionysus the AreopagChrist before PilatePontormo, (Jacopo Carrucci) — Christ before PilateSacrifice of Jephthah's DaughterSébastien Bourdon — Sacrifice of Jephthah's Daughter