Italy
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.