Muzio Clementi
(d.1832) was born in Rome and was famous as
a composer throughout Europe. He was called 'the father of the
pianoforte' and he is buried in the south cloister.
The great pavement
The
great pavement in
front of the High Altar was laid down in 1268 and was executed by
workmen from Rome. It is a type of mosaic known as Cosmati work
and consists of geometrical patterns. Cosmati work can also be
found on the
shrine of
St Edward the Confessor,
the chief artist being Pietro di Oderisio, and on
Henry III's tomb.
Bicci di Lorenzo
A 15th century altarpiece by
Bicci di Lorenzo (d.1452) was presented to the Abbey in
1949 and seems originally to have come from the Sta Trinita in
Florence. It hangs near the High Altar and depicts the Madonna
and Child surrounded by saints.
Pietro Torrigiano
who was born in Florence in 1472,
designed the magnificent tombs of
Henry VII and Lady
Margaret Beaufort, the king's mother, in the
Lady Chapel. The
effigy on Lady Margaret's tomb is said to be his masterpiece. A
profile head of Sir Thomas Lovell, presented to the Abbey in
1902, is also by this artist. This is now in the Abbey
Museum.
Bartolommeo Vivarini
A 15th century Madonna and Child by Venetian artist
Bartolommeo Vivarini was presented to the Abbey in 1935 and
adorns the altar in the
Lady Chapel.