Photographs by the author, except for the first, which is cropped from a photograph by George P. Landow. [You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one. [Click on the images to enlarge them.]
Left: The panel in its context. Right: Whole panel.
The Death of Leonardo da Vinci in the arms of Francis I. A tile panel by W. B. Simpson & Sons, 1887 on the far left of the façade of York Art Gallery. Like its companion piece on the other side of the gallery (Michelangelo showing his sculpture of Moses for the tomb of Pope Julius II), this was donated by Alderman Rooke of York for the appropriate decoration of the façade. But these "overglaze-painted tile panels" (Pearson) have deteriorated, probably due to exposure to the elements, and pollution. On-glaze colours can be subtler, but are not so durable.
Details. Left: Francis I of France supports Da Vinci, while a doctor takes his pulse. Right: Closer view of the figures on the other side of Da Vinci.
Both panels include revered artists with York associations. In this case, there are two, on the right. These may be the Minster organist and composer, John Cambidge (1735-1803), and the York architect, John Carr (1723-1807), both mentioned as present in the panels.
Links to Related Material
Bibliography
"Conservation of tile panels on the front façade...." York Museums Trust, c. 2015.
"History of W.B. Simpson & Sons Ltd." W. B. Simpson & Sons. Web. 13 March 2023.
Pearson, Lynn. Tile Gazetteer: A Guide to British Tile and Architectural Ceramics Locations. Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society, 2005.
Created 13 March 2023