Visions of Paradise: Botticini's Palmieri Altarpiece

This free exhibition brings together three years of research into the monumental alterpiece by Francesco Botticini. Commissioned in fifteenth century by Florentine philosopher, historian and friend to the Medici’s, Matteo Palmieri for his funerary chapel in San Pier Maggiore, the astounding work reflects the Dante inspired ode Palmieri wrote in 1465, ‘Città di Vita (City of Life) – considered heretical after his death. Exploring Palmieri’s fascinating life and his collaboration with Botticini, this display also showcases sculpture, drawings, and manuscripts connected to the alterpiece as well as the reconstruction of Jacopo di Cione polyptych that currently hang separately in the gallery’s Sainsbury’s Wing.