Fra Angelico, born Guido di Pietro in Vicchio around 1400, was a prominent Italian painter and artist. He combined the religious style of the Middle Ages with the Renaissance’s concern for representing mass, space, and classical literature. Fra Angelico is renowned for his exceptional talent in painting and was considered a master of perspective. Giorgio Vasari acknowledged him as one of the greatest painters of all time in The Lives of the Artists.
After entering a Dominican convent in Fiesole in 1418, Fra Angelico began his career as an illuminator of missals and other religious books. He embodies an intellectual culture that emphasized logical thought ideals introducing personal liberty during early Renaissance style development under Florentine patronage. His work conveyed a blend between Christian doctrine and classical literature. With this blending comes his legacy’s spiritual aspect, inspiring some to believe it was touched by angels.
Fra Angelico produced many remarkable works during his lifetime, including Virgin and Child raised high over saints on either side being one such example of his most compelling works. It details complex elements seen throughout renaissance art such as precise rendering perspective techniques like atmospheric perspective conveying depth.
In February 1455 at the Dominican convent San Marco Rome where he lived decorated with frescoes still admired today amongst others he created throughout Florence for illustrious personalities like Cosimo de Medici passes away ending greatly respected life and ongoing artistic influence felt even now centuries later by many artists worldwide.
