The artwork titled “Coronation of the Virgin” is a seminal piece by Fra Angelico, executed between the years 1434 and 1435. The medium of this work is tempera on panel. Reflecting the stylistic nuances of the Early Renaissance, it measures 213 by 211 centimeters and is categorized as a religious painting. This piece is a part of the “Coronation of the Virgin Altarpiece” series and is currently housed in the Louvre in Paris, France.
Depicting a sacred scene, the artwork presents the coronation of the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Heaven. In the central and uppermost part of the painting, under a gothic arch, the Virgin Mary, clothed in a flowing blue robe, kneels before Jesus Christ, who is dressed in regal red and blue attire, poised to place a crown upon her head. This moment is the focal point of the composition, symbolizing Mary’s exaltation and her role as an intercessor for humanity.
Surrounding this central act are hosts of angels and saints, forming a celestial court. The figural assembly is richly adorned with intricate halos of gold and elaborate vestments, illustrating the magnificence of the heavenly realm. The figures are rendered with graceful lines and soft features characteristic of Fra Angelico’s oeuvre, embodying the ethos of the Early Renaissance with a blend of solemnity and delicate beauty.
Intricately detailed predella panels are visible at the base of the artwork, which depict various episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary and provide a narrative context to the central scene of her coronation. The precision and harmony of the figures, combined with the luminous color palette and the gold embellishments, contribute to an otherworldly and spiritual ambiance that is epitomized by Fra Angelico’s devotional and iconic artistry.
