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Left: The tile panel in context, at second storey level. Right: Michelangelo exhibiting his marble sculpture of Moses.
A tile panel on the right of the façade of York Art Gallery, at first storey level: Michelangelo showing his sculpture of Moses for the tomb of Pope Julius II, by W. B. Simpson & Sons, 1887. Like its companion panel on the left-hand side, The death of Leonardo da Vinci in the arms of Francis I, this was donated to the gallery by Alderman Rooke of York as appropriate external decoration. Lynn Pearson describes the pair as "overglaze-painted tile panels." Unfortunately, this one too is quite hard to see, as the pastels no longer show up well from a distance.
Detail. Left: The upper parts of the three visitors, paying rapt attention to the artistry of the sculpted figure. Right: Closer view of the lower parts of the foremost figures on this side.
Like the other panel, this one is said to include among the onlookers a respected artist with York associations, perhaps (although he is normally seen clean-shaven), the sculptor John Flaxman.
Links to Related Material
- The death of Leonardo da Vinci in the arms of Francis I (the panel on the left of the façade)
- York City Art Gallery
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